Another year, another set of can’t-miss books. From The Hunting Wives author’s latest scandalous book to a sequel to Laura Dave’s beloved domestic thriller, another Midnight novel from Matt Haig and the much-awaited next Robinne Lee book there is a lot to look forward to in 2026.

The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave (1/6)

In the follow up to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel and Apple TV+ adapted show, The Last Thing He Told Me, Laura Dave picks the story back up five years after Hannah’s husband Owen left. She and her stepdaughter, Bailey, have resettled in Southern California, but when Owen shows up, she knows danger comes with him. As she fights to keep Bailey safe, she also finds that there might be a second chance for her and the husband she lost.

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Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey (1/13)

When Poppy decides to start responding to a dating app message on her dead sister’s phone, a liveliness is awakened in her. It’s exactly the kind of adventure Dandelion would have wanted for her. Jake is also brought to life by this new connection after watching his ex-wife move on in their former home. As Poppy processes her grief, she must decide if she’ll live for her sister or for herself and claim a life that’s big and beautiful.

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All the Little Houses by May Cobb (1/20)

If you found yourself locked in to the Netflix adaptation of The Hunting Wives and jumped for joy at the news of a season two, this is the book release you won’t want to miss. Set in the 1990s, a small town in Texas with big personalities and housewives competing to for the queen bee position—for themselves and their daughters—may have deadly consequences.

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The Hour of the Wolf: A Memoir by Fatima Bhutto (1/27)

Journalist and novelist, Fatima Bhutto, gets deeply personal in this story of her life. Ever since the assassination of her father when she was a teenager, she dreamed of a full and happy family of her own. She thought she had found it, but ended up in a toxic, manipulative relationship that lasted a decade. With her beloved Jack Russel terrier at her side, she recalls and reflects on her life, the hopes, dreams and hurt while also commenting on art, culture and politics.

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The Future Saints by Ashley Winstead (1/20)

The Future Saints are a band on the decline. After losing their manager, their last hope is Theo, who is willing to take a risk on a new sound and a new shot. But the lead singer Hannah is as unpredictable as she is intriguing and as she and Theo grow closer, her most important relationship with her sister is strained and the pressure of fame is an imposing threat.

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Keeper of Lost Children by Sadeqa Johnson (2/10)

In this sweeping historical fiction novel from the New York Times bestseller of The House of Eve comes a WWII-era novel that intertwines three characters. Ethel lives in occupied Germany in the 50s and has discovered an orphanage of mixed race children whose parents are German women and American GI’s. Ozzie joins the recently desegregated army and finds himself in Germany in the 1940s. And Sophia has the opportunity to attend an all white boarding school, but discovers a secret that could change everything. As the narrative weaves their stories, the family, the truth and one woman’s vision tell an unforgettable tale.

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Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris (2/17)

Leigh is the last of her family and it looks like her life is nearly over too. On the bus taking her to prison, a fatal accident kills everyone on board except for her. So she does what she always does and finds a way to survive. Taking refuge on an Alabama flower farm, she starts to heal and even thinks she has a second chance with the farm’s owner, but the past has a hard time staying buried.

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Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi (2/24)

This bestselling author is tackling one of history’s most mysterious and awe-inspiring female figures. In an historical epic, the life of Cleopatra is explored, dispelling the myths and exploring the mind of a woman who would kill to protect what she loves and who is blessed with powers by the gods.

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The Book Tour by Emily Ohanjanians (3/3)

Who doesn’t love a bookish book? And when it comes from a publishing industry insider it’s even better! For fans of Emily Henry, this debut follows Ana as she strikes out on her book tour with a decidedly grumpy publicist who doesn’t get her book—or her—at all. But as she gets to know Ryan and see through the surly surface a spark ignites.

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The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane (3/3)

Cordelia is more than fine with her quiet Dallas life after a childhood of dragging her mother out of dive bars, but when a distant relative passes and leaves her a motel, her simple existence is rattled. She has no desire to run the motel, but can’t sell it until the residence have all gone, per the will. When she goes to check out who is occupying the space she finds out the Chickadee Motel is actually a brothel featuring three women in their sixties. When a client is murdered, the small town begins to unravel and it’s up to Cordelia to help find the murderer.

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Once and Again by Rebecca Serle (3/10)

From the New York Times bestselling author of In Five Years, comes Rebecca Serle’s next magical book. The Novak women have a special gift: the ability to undo one choice in their life. Lauren’s mother used hers to save her husband, but lives in fear of what future events will come that she can’t undo. Lauren’s grandmother is more aloof about her choices. But when Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she returns home at the same time as the boy who broke her heart, she’ll be thinking all about the choices that led her to where she’s at and if there’s any that deserve undoing.

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The Best Dog in the World: Essays on Love edited by Alice Hoffman (3/10)

In this delightful comfort read, New York Times bestselling author, Alice Hoffman, gathers the stories of beloved authors and their dogs. From Roxanne Gay to Emily Henry, Paul Yoon to Elizabeth Strout, this collection of heartwarming tales—or tails—is a feel good read for animal lovers this upcoming spring.

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Leave Your Mess at Home by Tolani Akinola (4/14)

Sola Longe has just returned to Chicago after a decade of estrangement from her family. Single after a public humiliation as an influencer, she finds her siblings in similar states of disarray. One in love with their best friend, another grappling with their sexuality, and the golden child awaiting his first born while questioning his marriage and considering the weight of raising a Black son in America. When they convene at Thanksgiving under their Nigerian parents’ roof, all hell breaks loose and secrets and pain are brought to the surface that will leave each of the Longe siblings reeling and coming to terms with their lives.

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Famesick by Lena Dunham (4/14)

From the creative mind that brought us Girls, comes a frank and painstaking memoir. Discussing openly her chronic illness and “wrecked” body—as she describes it—in the midst of having the brightest spotlight in the world on her. She talks about how fame has impacted every part of her life and questions whether the cost of success was worth it to fulfill her ambitions.

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Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez (4/21)

The New York Times bestselling author of Olga Dies Dreaming explores the 2007 atmosphere for people of color with a looming presidential election and a financial crisis on the horizon. Alicia is living with her mother in a long distance relationship with a soon-to-be doctor—her adult life already buttoned up and ready—when an alluring neighbor moves in. The up-and-coming fashion designer La Garza and the parties Alicia witnesses from her apartment beckon her towards a youthful energy and an exploration of the things money can—and can’t—buy.

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Ghost Town by Tom Perrotta (4/28)

The New York Times bestseller of The Leftovers is back. A middle aged and middle listed author reflects on his childhood when tragedy struck. His grief driving him into the arms of a burnout and an eccentric girl with an Ouija, he explores the occult and the harshness of reality. Haunted by his past, Jimmy realizes we all have ghosts we can’t run from.

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The Midnight Train by Matt Haig (5/26)

If you fell in love with The Midnight Library in 2020 then you get to fall all over again with The Midnight Train. In this time-traveling story, instead of seeing the futures that could be, the train allows you to relive the past to see who you truly were. For Wilbur, the best time of his life was his honeymoon, before he lost it all. Now he wishes he could do it all over, but do to that could put everything at risk.

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The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (6/16)

From the author of The Bright Years comes a new story of family, marriage and choices. When April and Leo’s house burns down, they escape with their lives and children, but the fire isn’t their only issue. Fleeing to April’s childhood home in Dallas, they must come to terms with what they’ve lost both physically and over the course of time. As they pick up the pieces and handle logistics, the couple has to confront the parts of their lives that were already burning before the fire.

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Love You More by Emily Giffin (7/7)

From beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author comes a second chance love story of going home and looking at the life you’ve built. Billie has constructed a perfect life in New York. An enviable career and—finally—the perfect fiancé after so long getting over her first love. But when her high school sweetheart reappears with shocking news, she returns home to Wisconsin where she’s reunited with old friends, her old life, and, of course, Mick. Now she must look at the life she’s created and see if that’s truly the one she wants.

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Crash Into Me by Robinne Lee (7/7)

From the author who brought us The Idea of You–which got a recent adaptation starring Anne Hathaway—comes Robinne Lee’s awaited next novel. Cecilia Chen recently got into a car crash that has caused her to reevaluate the life she thought she’d constructed so carefully. Her marriage, her children and the shocking encounter with an enigmatic model she met on a photo shoot in Mexico has her taking stock of the foundations of her life.

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