There’s something magical about a debut author bringing their first book into the world—it’s thrilling, nerve-wracking, and unforgettable. We’ve rounded up 2025’s most anticipated debuts, from heartfelt dramas to chilling mysteries, each offering fresh perspectives and bold storytelling. Which will you add to your TBR list?

Going Home by Tom Lamont (1/14)

In this heartwarming debut, Téo Erskine unexpectedly becomes the guardian of his friend Lia’s young son, Joel, after a tragic loss. Returning to his north London roots, Téo juggles his complicated relationship with his father Vic, his best friend Ben’s antics, and his unrequited love for Lia. With help from a quirky group of father figures, Téo learns what it truly means to grow up and care for a child in need.

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Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives (1/21)

Centuries ago, Thelia, a siren cursed for a past mistake, was banished to Scopuli, a desolate island. She and her sisters lure sailors to their deaths, hoping for divine favor. When ships cease to arrive, a desperate Thelia hears a voice, propelling her on a dangerous quest. She washes ashore in Roanoke Colony, disguising herself as a princess. Navigating a hostile new world, she seeks redemption, love, and revenge while grappling with her siren past.

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Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours (2/4)

Sariyah Lee Bryant has powers; she’s just not sure if she’d call it a gift. At seventeen, she can hear people’s needs, from small items like pencils and hair ties to more urgent ones like pepper spray. When her friend Deja disappears after Sariyah helps her, she’s determined to discover what happened. As family struggles pile on, Sariyah turns to her ability to earn money, putting herself in the same danger Deja faced.

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You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego (2/11)

Bestselling author J. R. Alastor invites six thriller writers to a private island for a themed murder retreat, where they’re greeted by event planner Mila, not their host. Mila has a personal grudge against one of the guests and plans to use the week’s games to cover her murder plot. But when a guest turns up dead—not the one she intended—Mila must navigate a rising body count, a storm trapping them on the island, and a killer who knows every trick in the book.

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Count My Lies by Sophie Stava (3/4)

Little white lies, that’s what Sloane Caraway thinks she’s telling to make her life more interesting. When she helps a young girl at the park, she lies about being a nurse to impress the girl’s handsome dad, Jay. This leads to Sloane becoming their nanny, living in their perfect New York brownstone. Obsessed with their lifestyle, Sloane starts imitating Jay’s wife, Violet. Still, she soon realizes that as she changes, Violet is changing too. What begins as harmless lies soon unravels a darker truth.

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Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall (3/4)

Set in the English countryside, this story follows two teens, Beth and Gabriel, who fall deeply in love only to be torn apart by life’s realities. When Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog belonging to Gabriel, long-buried emotions resurface. Gabriel has returned with his son, Leo, who reminds Beth of her late son. As tensions rise, secrets unravel, and Beth must choose between her past and the life she’s built, with deadly consequences

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The Eights by Joanna Miller (4/15)

Four women, united by Oxford’s ancient walls, forge an unlikely bond. In the wake of the Great War, they navigate prejudice, loss, and personal secrets. This debut novel celebrates female friendship, resilience, and the pursuit of knowledge in a world that seeks to limit them.

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The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (4/22)

Ryan and Lillian Bright’s story begins with a fresh marriage and the birth of their daughter, Georgette. But beneath the surface, both are hiding painful truths—Lillian’s secret son and Ryan’s battle with alcoholism. As Georgette grows up, she watches her parents’ love and struggles unfold. Years later, when Lillian’s son seeks out his birth family, Georgette must confront her past.

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Out of Air by Rachel Reiss (5/13)

Phibs and her friends, famous for discovering ancient gold coins, are diving on a remote Australian island for their final summer together. While exploring a rumored treasure cave, they undergo strange transformations—oozing gashes, haunting whispers, and something sinister lurking beneath their skin. As treasure hunters close in, Phibs will do anything to protect her friends, even if it means confronting the terrifying creature inside her. The group, known as The Salt Squad, faces dangers both underwater and within.

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Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild (6/10)

Honor, a successful author, longs for another child. Her world shatters after a tragic loss, leaving her husband, Tom, heartbroken. Grace, a passionate wine shop owner, finds solace in Tom’s company. As they grow closer, secrets from the past threaten to derail their budding romance. A haunting connection between the two couples emerges, raising questions about fate and the enduring power of love and loss.

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