68 of the Best New Books of 2023 So Far

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah's "Chain-Gang All Stars" gives a riveting account of two prisoners fighting for their survival and their freedom from within a corrupt prison and entertainment system. The Criminal Action Penal Entertainment, CAPE, has managed to turn the prison system into a channel for revenue and entertainment for the masses by having prisoners fight gladiator-style for a chance at early release. Loretta Thurwar and Hamara "Hurricane Staxxx" Stacker are both stars of the show and lovers. Surviving as "links" in their Chain Gang, the two have seen the consequences and loss this deadly show has on the real lives of prisoners, and Thurwar has a shot at getting out in just a few weeks. But CAPE has no intention of letting one of its best stars go without a fight that will draw the attention of millions, and getting out might just cost both Thurwar and Staxxx everything.

Release date: May 2

Tembe Denton-Hurst's "Homebodies" follows Mickey Hayward, a writer who feels like she's on her way to achieving her dreams. She lives in New York City, has a writing job at a reputable media company, and has a loving girlfriend waiting for her at home. When she's suddenly ousted from her job, and her open letter revealing instances of racism is met with silence from the media, Mickey returns to her hometown in Maryland to recoup. While she's home, Mickey's assumptions about her life are challenged as she falls back into the comforting ways of her old life, and when New York suddenly comes calling again, Mickey will have to make a choice about what kind of life she truly dreams of.

Release date: May 2

Janika Oza's sprawling family epic "A History of Burning" kicks off in 1898 when a teenage boy, taken from his family and community to work for the British, commits an act of violence that will affect generations of his family to come. In 1972, the man's three grandchildren, Latika, Mayuri, and Kiya, are grappling with coming of age in Uganda. Latika has dreams of her own that require a commitment to candor. Mayuri wants nothing more than to escape and become her own woman outside of the confines of her family's rigid definitions. The youngest, Kiya, struggles to remain loyal and keep secrets that could shatter their entire family. When a letter arrives, it uproots generations of family secrets, and everyone is forced to make choices for their own survival.

Release date: May 2

The star of Becky Albertalli's "Imogen, Obviously" has always been a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community despite not being a part of it herself. When Imogen's best friend Lili comes out, Imogen is beyond excited for her — until she learns that Lili has told her new college friends that she and Imogen are exes, that is. Careful not to ruin the ruse, Imogen goes along with Lili's lies, despite her guilt about cosplaying an identity that isn't hers. But then she meets Tessa, and Imogen realizes she might be developing feelings for her, making her reconsider her identity and what love could look like for her.

Release date: May 2

"The Half Moon" by Mary Beth Keane centers on married couple Malcolm and Jess Gephardt, new owners of the Half Moon bar in New York City. Malcolm has been a longtime bartender working at the Half Moon, and when his boss retires, he decides to buy it in hopes that success might bring him and his separated wife back together. Lawyer Jess is struggling with the realities of potentially not becoming a mother and, with her relationship with Malcolm barely staying afloat, questions what the future looks like for her. When powerful storms hit the city, Jess and Malcolm are both drawn back to the bar, and over the course of a week, they rediscover what could be left in their relationship.

Release date: May 2

Angeline Boulley gives fans another chance to step into the "Firekeeper's Daughter" universe with "Warrior Girl Unearthed," a companion novel taking place 10 years later. While working at the tribal museum, Perry Firekeeper-Birch uncovers a devastating secret that would upset her community. A university has been stealing the remains of deceased Anishinaabe, and Perry intends to get them back and put them in their rightful place. With the help of fellow interns, Perry plans the heist of a century, but her meddling in adult affairs reveals even more dangerous violence happening against Indigenous women.

Release date: May 2

R.F. Kuang's "Yellowface" delivers a biting commentary on the idea of what we deserve. Author June Hayward is happy for her friend and fellow author Chinese-American Athena Liu, even if June's career is nowhere close to Athena's success. When Athena has a sudden random accident that leads to her death, June discovers Athena's unfinished manuscript and decides to pass it off as her own. With Athena's final project under June's belt, she meteors into the kind of literary success she's always dreamed of, until evidence emerges that proves June is not the true author of the book. As June tries to stamp out any question of her literary genius, she goes further and further to protect what she believes is hers.

Release date: May 16

This year marks 10 years for Christina Lauren, the writing duo behind romance favorites such as "The Unhoneymooners," and their latest romantic romp, "The True Love Experiment," centers on a hopeless romance novelist and a charming filmmaker. Fizzy Chen knows all about writing the perfect romance, but she never seems to be able to conjure that visceral passion in her own life. That's why when documentary filmmaker Connor Smith approaches her about a reality-TV show featuring her dating life as an experiment, she's curious enough about what potential connections the show could lead to to say yes. However, none of the magic on screen can match the chemistry Connor and Fizzy share off screen, and the only way they'll create a successful experiment is to open up to each other.

Release date: May 16

In her collection of hilarious essays in "Quietly Hostile," Samantha Irby uses humor to bring laughs to the mundane and surreal experience of being human. In "What If I Died Like Elvis," Irby breaks down her deep-seated need to make others' life experiences — even in inappropriate scenarios, like during a medical crisis — her own. In "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," she gives an intimate glimpse into her connection with her brother and their reconnection after the loss of their father. Dotted with references to her favorite pieces of media, like "Sex and the City," Justin Bieber, and strip malls, Irby's collection will be a bright spot in any reader's day.

Release date: May 16

Emma Cline follows up her propulsive read "The Girls" with another captivating novel zeroing in on the performance of young women in "The Guest." Alex, 22, has survived off her ability to read a situation and make the best of it. That's why when a slight accident with Simon, the rich man she's currently staying with, leads to him asking her to leave, Alex instead sticks around, grifting from one rich person to the next in hopes of making it through the week until Simon's Labor Day party. With each new friend, Alex finesses her way into their lives, using her charm and her wits until moving on to the next mark. Surviving the week will prove to be Alex's greatest challenge, as she wreaks havoc in the lives of everyone she meets.

Release date: May 16

The characters of Jenny Fran Davis's "Dykette" explore the love, jealousy, desires, and obsessions between three queer couples on a lavish vacation. On the exterior, Sasha and Jesse are the perfect couple. They're both creative, charming 20-somethings, and when a rich lesbian couple invite them away for a 10-day retreat, they leap at the opportunity for a new adventure. Never mind that the third party in attendance is Jesse's best friend, who's dating an enigmatic legend within their social circles. Over the course of their stay, Sasha and Jesse begin to notice the cracks in their relationship brought out by their desire to be seen by the other couples, and by each other.

Release date: May 16

Brandon Taylor hones in on the inner lives and revelations of a small group of friends over the course of a year in his latest literary fiction novel, "The Late Americans." In Iowa City lives a group of four friends: Seamus, a poet struggling with his work; Noah, who can't help but attract people into his bed despite never earnestly looking for anything serious; Fatima, who is struggling to maintain a relationship with her mentor; and Ivan, a banker whose night job interferes with his relationship. When the crew all gather with their partners for a cabin getaway, the secrets between them threaten to burst and destroy the relationships they've worked so hard to cultivate.

Release date: May 23

Kate Morton's "Homecoming" begins on Christmas Eve in 1959, when Percy Summers makes a horrifying discovery that shatters the lives of everyone living in the idyllic town of Adelaide Hills. In 2018, journalist Jess Turner returns to Adelaide after her beloved grandmother took a fall. While taking care of her, Jess discovers a book, the 'Turner Family Tragedy of 1959,' tying her family back to the horrific events never resolved by police. Jess begins her own investigation into the 1959 case, dredging up family history and secrets along the way.

Release date: April 4

Sally Hepworth's electrifying mystery "The Soulmate" questions who one can trust if not the love of one's life. Pippa loves the view from her cliffside home, but loves her genial partner Gabe even more. But with the beauty of their new home also comes visitors aiming to die by suicide on the cliff's edge. Gabe's gentle demeanor has soothed many into reconsidering, but one night, a woman appears on the cliff's edge and falls to her death. The couple is devastated, Pippa even more so when she learns Gabe knew the woman in the past. Pippa begins to question what truly happened out on the cliff that fateful night.

Release date: April 4

The celebrations around Queen Elizabeth II's 1953 coronation sets the backdrop for Jennifer Robson's historical fiction novel "Coronation Year." As London prepares to welcome its new Queen, the residents of the Blue Lion hotel are bursting at the seams with new opportunities. Edie Howard, the owner of the Blue Lion, could save her family from financial ruin because of the hotel's optimum location during the Queen's parade. Italian photographer Stella Donati has found a new source of inspiration amid London's bustling crows and high energy. War hero James Geddes is embracing his Indian heritage among the warm welcome at the Blue Lion. But on Coronation Day, an anonymous bomb threat to the hotel threatens to upend the lives of Blue Lion residents and the Queen herself. This trio of unexpected allies must work together to save their hotel and country.

Release date: April 4

Terry J. Benton-Walker's highly anticipated magical YA debut "Blood Debts" features siblings with opposing views on magic coming together to save their family and reputation. Clement and Cristina Trudeau may be the heirs to the powerful dethroned monarch many years ago, but that doesn't mean they see eye-to-eye. While Clement embraces the power his magic grants him, Cristina abstains after an accident harms someone she loves. While caring for their mother, the twins discover that her sickness is the result of a curse cast by one of their trusted allies. To save her life, they'll have to trust one another and the power of their magic.

Release date: April 4

"House of Cotton" is Monica Brashears's delightfully morbid debut novel about a down-on-her-luck woman from the South who takes a modeling job with an eerie twist. 19-year-old Magnolia Brown is struggling to make ends meet at her gas station job when a suave stranger named Cotton strolls in with an offer she can't refuse: he'll pay her well if she agrees to model for his local funeral parlor. As strange as the request is, Magnolia desperately needs cash, so she accepts the unorthodox job. Her regrets come later, as Cotton's job requirements stray further into ghastly territory.

Release date: April 4

"Romantic Comedy" is Curtis Sittenfield's ode to the classic genre that also confronts its problematic beauty standards and gender roles at the same time. While at work for The Night Owls, a late-night live comedy show, sketch writer Sally Milz notices her coworker Danny has started dating a celebrity actress who recently guest-hosted the show. It's a phenomenon she's familiar with: average men dating women significantly hotter than them — so she turns it into a scathing bit for the show. When pop star Noah Brewster appears on the show to guest host, he and Sally hit it off, but Sally questions if the desirability dynamics she notably made fun of ever work the other way around.

Release date: April 4

The interconnected stories of Alejandro Varela's "The People Who Report More Stress" explore how marginalized stress factors into dating, gentrification, socioeconomic struggles, and more. In "She and Her Kid, Me and Mine," a Salvadorian Columbian father struggles to recover from the comments of another parent after confronting her about microaggressions shown toward his son during a playdate. In "Comrades," a queer man, sure in his politics, struggles to make connections when he stands firm in finding a partner who shares his views. In "Midtown-West Side Story," a restaurant worker preparing to move to the suburbs starts selling high-end clothes to his friends, neighbors, and coworkers. The collection captures the personal and political politics of living within a system brimming with inequalities.

Release date: April 4

Cassidy Bent, the protagonist of Megan Miranda's "The Only Survivors," has never been able to outrun the effects of the tragedy that took place during her high school years. When she and other students crashed into a Tennessee ravine, only eight other students survived the ordeal. 10 years later, Cassidy is unsure of whether or not she wants to attend the annual reunion, but when she hears news of the deaths of two other survivors, she flocks toward the only people who understand her pain. Surrounded by fellow survivors should be where Cassidy feels safest, but when someone else disappears, she's forced to confront the fact that someone here is dangerous, and they may have been just as dangerous all those years ago, too.

Release date: April 11

In the time-traveling YA novel "Throwback," Maurene Goo is a nod to classic '90s culture full of "Back to the Future" callbacks. Sam and her mother, Priscilla, have never really been able to get on the same page when their priorities differ greatly. After a blowout fight about homecoming, Sam calls a ride from the Throwback rideshare app, and it drops her off in 1995, the same year her mother was running for homecoming queen in high school. The only way to return to the future is for Sam to help her mother win homecoming and avoid a fight with Priscila's mother (aka, her grandmother) that will destroy their relationship. Brimming with cultural nostalgia, Goo delivers a hilarious mother-daughter duo that readers will root for.

Release date: April 11

Poet and author Maggie Smith's memoir "You Could Make This Place Beautiful" details the breakdown of her marriage and entry into divorce. Smith harkens back to the discovery of her husband's affair and the devastating markers of a marriage on the fritz: money disappearing from shared accounts, separation, and then her husband moving across the country. But Smith draws incredible insights from her heartbreak, spotlighting the grief, anger, secrets, and forgiveness that she went through to emerge with a new sense of self. Smith's work expands into the larger cultural conversation of gender roles, motherhood, and being a woman in the modern era.

Release date: April 11

Alexandria Bellefleur delivers a sensual sapphic rom-com featuring a bookstore owner and a publishing heiress's marriage of convenience in "The Fiancée Farce." Often too busy caring for the shelves in her family's bookstore, Tansy Adams tells a tiny white lie to her family to get them off her back about her nonexistent dating life. She claims to be dating Gemma van Dalen, the model from a romance novel cover, which shouldn't have been a problem until said model walked right into her store. When Gemma discovers Tansy's been lying about a relationship with her, she realizes it could work to her benefit since she needs to be married to gain access to her family's inheritance. One fake marriage later, the two are struggling to keep up with what's real and what's not amid Gemma's cutthroat family sniffing around for a reason to cut them out.

Release date: April 18

Genevieve Wheeler's poignant debut, "Adelaide," follows a 20-something U.S. ex-pat after falling for a man who doesn't love her back. In London, Adelaide Williams has just ended things with her abusive boyfriend and is not looking for anything new when it comes to love . . . until she meets Rory Hughes. She is taken with him almost immediately, but their relationship goes cold when Rory's ex-girlfriend is killed in an accident, and he abruptly cuts things off with her amid his grief. Adelaide's mental health begins to deteriorate as she suffers through a devastating heartbreak, clinging desperately to a relationship that no longer exists.

Release date: April 18

After "Beach Read," "People We Meet on Vacation," and "Book Lovers," Emily Henry continues to deliver yet another delightfully refreshing romance novel in "Happy Place." Picture perfect couple Harriet and Wyn have a secret: they broke up five months ago and haven't told anyone. When their friend group's annual trip rolls around, the pair find themselves unable to kill the vacation vibes with their sour news, resolving to fake it just for one more week and keep everyone happy. It should be no issue to pretend to be perfectly in love with your ex-partner since you still remember everything about them. But soon it becomes clear that, for Harriet and Wyn, faking it may be more painful than admitting the truth: breaking up may have been a mistake.

Release date: April 25

Sarah Penner, author of "The Lost Apothecary," takes readers on a thrilling ride in "The London Séance Society," a team-up mystery following a spiritualist with ties to the occult and a woman investigating her sister's death. Known for her ability to speak with the dead to bring their killers to justice, Vaudeline D'Allaire's name is on the lips of everyone in Paris. On the other hand, Lenna Wickes believes in cold, hard facts, and that's what she's looking for regarding her dead sister. Despite their differences, Vaudeline and Lenna head to London together to solve a new case and require the assistance of London's exclusive Séance Society. But while Vaudeline and Lenna are hunting down answers, it looks like someone else is hunting them.

Release date: March 7

Debut author Krystle Zara Appiah's "Rootless" is a tender navigation of one woman's journey through the troubles of motherhood, marriage, and belonging. Efe is missing. Or at least, that's what Sam believes, since 1,300 euros are missing from their shared bank account, and he cannot find his wife anywhere in their apartment. How could they end up like this? When Efe first met Sam in secondary school, he seemed to be a part of the perfect plan her parents envisioned for her when they sent her to London from Ghana. And when they had their baby, their plan seemed to forge ahead, another role for Sam to play and a new struggle for Efe to keep up with. With the fractures of their marriage pushing them further away from each other, another revelation pushes Efe to leave behind the life she once dreamed of and figure out who she is and where she truly belongs.

Release date: March 7

After over two decades, the childhood friends of Alex Finlay's high-strung thriller "What Have We Done" reunite once they realize a secret from their past might be the reason someone is hunting them. If anyone knew Jenna, Nico, Donnie, Benny, and Arty today, they would never guess that, once upon a time, they'd been the best of friends living at Savior House, a group home for troubled teens. It's been 25 years since they've seen each other, and when word spreads that not one but two members of their once-close-knit clique have died suddenly, they realize that their shared history might be the reason someone is coming after them.

Release date: March 7

Three generations of Weyward women with paranormal abilities and fighting for their independence dazzle in Emilia Hart's debut novel, "Weyward." In 1619, a man is trampled by his herd, and Altha Weyward awaits trial for the crime. Taught by her mother how to use magic to connect with the land, Altha knows her community will not stop coming after her until she's dead. In 1942, Violet Ayres lives trapped inside her family estate with her father, who worries for her well-being when Violet shows similar frightening behavior as her now-deceased mother. In 2019, Kate Ayres is the descendent of the Weyward women who's on the run from an abusive boyfriend and searching for answers about who she is and the power she feels within her.

Release date: March 7

"There Goes the Neighborhood" is Jade Adia's engrossing YA debut about three friends attempting to save their friendship amid the gentrification of Los Angeles. Rhea, Malachi, and Zeke have spent their entire lives in LA, but recently they don't recognize the community they call home, as it's filled with luxury apartments and hipster coffee shops. When the ugly effects of gentrification threaten to force Zeke and his family out of their home, Rhea comes up with a plan: they'll invent a fake gang to scare off newcomers. However, when a resident turns up dead, all eyes are on their fake gang, and to escape real consequences, they'll have to find the truth.

Release date: March 7

"The Golden Spoon" from Jessa Maxwell follows renowned chef Betsy Martin as the host of the elite baking competition "Bake Week." Despite her nurturing onscreen demeanor, Betsy is as sharp as a knife and expects the best of her food show and its contestants. With six new competitors ready to fight for bragging rights, the competition is off to an electrifying start, with sabotage and tricks aplenty. But the death of one contestant is no trick, and suddenly this game show is no game but a murder investigation where everyone in the kitchen is a suspect. Maxwell's mystery is a delicious blend of cutthroat competition, questionable loyalties, and shocking reveals.

Release date: March 7

Sarah Underwood's "Lies We Tell to the Sea" explores themes of violence and vengeance within Greek mythology. Poseidon, still angry about the centuries-old deaths of Queen Penelope's 12 maidens, demands Ithaca offers up 12 of its own young women every year as penance. This year, it is Leto who is selected as a sacrifice to the god, but death does not come for her. Instead, a beautiful girl named Melantho, stuck on an island, does. Melantho, a previous victim of Poseidon's rage, makes Leto a promise: the yearly sacrifices of Ithaca's women can stop if Ithaca's prince dies. And if Leto does not ensure the prince's death, no one will be able to stop the tide that will come for them.

Release date: March 7

"What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez" by Claire Jiménez follows one family's journey to either healing or devastation when they believe they've found their missing relative. Twelve years ago, Ruthy Ramirez never came home. Her disappearance left her mother, Dolores, and her two sisters, Nina and Jessica, devastated by the loss. But then, one day, Jessica spots a familiar-looking beauty mark on a reality-TV contestant with shocking red hair. Could it be Ruthy? Hopeful that their Ruthy could be alive after all this time, Jessica, Nina, and Dolores take off on a road trip, hoping to find the truth. Answers about this red-haired woman's identity could bring their family together again or break their hearts all over again.

Release date: March 7

Jenny Jackson's "Pineapple Street" is a family drama dripping in gossip, sabotage, and old-school New York luxury. The Stockton family only believe in having the best of the best, but it seems the social order of their family is crumbling. Eldest daughter Darley sacrificed her banking career for motherhood and regrets how much she lost in the exchange. Middle child Cord marries middle-class Rhode Islander Sasha into the Stockton family, to the loud disapproval of his relatives. Meanwhile, the youngest sibling, Georgina, struggles to find meaning in her vapid party lifestyle and a relationship that can only end disastrously. As the Stocktons attempt to remain on top of the New York City scene, their family risks falling apart at the seams.

Release date: March 7

Ann Napolitano's "Hello Beautiful" depicts the lengths one will go to for one's family. William Waters knew nothing of warm houses filled with laughter and love until he went to college and met Julia Padavano and her three sisters: hopeful romantic Sylvie, aspiring artist Cecelia, and silent guardian Emeline. When Julia and William get married, William is embraced into the Padavano family with open arms until a secret from William's past threatens their bonds. When a harrowing incident drives a wedge between the once unbreakable bond between sisters, the family question if there's any way to come back together after broken boundaries.

Release date: March 14

The stars of Lynn Painter's witty rom-com "The Love Wager" make a bet on who can fall in love first, and they risk losing it all when they start falling for each other. After hooking up once at a wedding, bartender Hallie and perpetual bachelor Jack decide it's time to take love more seriously. In an effort to up the ante in their pursuit of true love, the friends make a bet: whoever falls in love first wins. When Hallie takes Jack to a wedding as her fake boyfriend, their bet grows complicated when they realize pretending to be in love isn't very hard at all. Who will come out on top of Hallie and Jack's biggest gamble on love?

Release date: March 14

Esther Yi's haunting novel "Y/N" explores one woman's parasocial relationship with a K-pop idol. An unnamed Korean American narrator finds meaning in her life once she discovers Moon, the youngest star of a K-pop boy band. Online fandom culture is what she lives for, crafting "Y/N" fan fiction so readers can place themselves into her stories about developing a relationship with Moon. But when Moon announces his departure from the band and his desire to step away from the spotlight, the narrator feels called to fly to Seoul to find Moon, where her fantasy and reality collide in an explosive finale.

Release date: March 21

The horror novel "A House With Good Bones" by T. Kingfisher puts a remarkably terrifying twist on the classic haunted-house story. Sam Montgomery is finally going home. It's been a while since she's visited her mother back in North Carolina, and all she hopes for is quality time with her family. But she arrives to a frightened mother with paranoia, a disturbing absence of insects, bouts of sleep paralysis, and a jar of teeth in the backyard that cannot mean anything good. As Sam begins searching for what's wrong with this house, she'll dig up secrets she won't be able to ignore.

Release date: March 28

What is inside Adelaide Henry's steamer trunk that must always remain locked? That question is central to Victor LaValle's eerie historical horror novel "Lone Women." It is 1915, and Adelaide finds herself in a world of trouble. Her parents are dead, it's her fault, and she must escape with her steamer trunk before anyone else can get hurt. When she learns of a government law granting ownership to acres of land so long as the owner can tame it, she heads off to Montana, trunk in tow, hoping to secure a home. But running from her past might not be the solution, especially when the secrets within her trunk are devastating enough to destroy everything around her.

Release date: March 28

The author of "Me Before You" charms in "Someone Else's Shoes," the story of an enjoyable mixup between two women that sparks rejuvenating revelations in their lives. Sam Kemp and Nisha Cantor don't share anything in common besides one serendipitous visit to a London gym. When Sam, who struggles to connect with her husband and a boss who makes her life miserable, accidentally grabs Nisha's gym bag containing a pair of Louboutin heels, she finds herself far more confident with these red bottoms than without. Her newfound self-assurance causes an upward shift in her attitude and life. Meanwhile, Nisha's husband announced a sudden divorce that turned the life she knows upside down. Stuck with Sam's flats, she must find her expensive shoes to get a cut of her divorce settlement.

Release date: Feb. 7

M.K Lobb's dark fantasy debut, "Seven Faceless Saints," finds former lovers trying to upend an unjust system that favors descendants of all-powerful saints. Despite the fact that everyone in the kingdom of Ombrazia is of saintly ancestry, only those bestowed with the power of the saints live in luxury, while the rest, considered "unfavored," are forced to battle on behalf of the kingdom. Rossana Lacertosa, a disciple of Patience, wields her own powers alongside the rebellion after the ruthless murder of her father by the Ombrazian military. On the opposing side of war is guard Damian Venturi, whose loyalty to the saints wavers when he considers his betrayal of Rossana. When Ombrazian citizens, disciples, and unfavored alike begin turning up dead, the former lovers put aside their differences to save their kingdom from a common enemy that threatens to ruin Ombrazia forever.

Release date: Feb. 7

Natalie Haynes's feminist retelling of Medusa's tragic backstory in "Stone Blind" will excite and challenge fans of Greek mythology. This tale of the snake-headed woman refuses to turn Medusa into a villain. Instead, Haynes revisits the classic story from Medusa's perspective, highlighting how she was once a beautiful mortal who Poseidon — a powerful god — harmed, then she was punished by Athene for her own assault. Faced with turning her loved ones to stone with a single look, Medusa disappears into a life of isolation. Readers will question her reputation as a "monster" as they follow her journey of solitude and preparations when Perseus is appointed to kill her. Haynes develops a razor-sharp critique of society's dedicated pursuit of condemning a woman to protect a dangerous man.

Release date: Feb. 7

A father's love for his son grounds Mariana Enriquez's magical horror story "Our Share of Night." After losing his wife, Juan and his son Gaspar head to her family's home, where a devious community called the Order resides. The Order is no ordinary family, but rather one that dabbles in the occult in its search for immortality. The key to its magic is Gaspar, and as Gaspar falls deeper into the Order's clutches, Juan will set off a plan years in the making to ensure his son's survival. But the Order's power runs far deeper than anyone knows, and the battle for Gaspar's future hangs in the balance.

Release date: Feb. 7

Fans of Raven Leilani and Melissa Broder will get a kick out of Jen Beagin's twisty literary fiction novel "Big Swiss." Forty-something Greta lives in a Dutch farmhouse transcribing the sessions of a sex therapist when she stumbles across the sessions of a woman she nicknames Big Swiss. Listening to Big Swiss's sessions, Greta finds herself admiring — and soon falling for — the anonymous patient. When she recognizes Big Swiss's voice at a dog park, Greta introduces herself as a stranger. The two begin a torrid romance rife with insatiable pleasure and deep shame on Greta's part for keeping such an invasive secret. When her double life threatens to shatter the life they've built, Greta is willing to do anything to keep Big Swiss in her life.

Release date: Feb. 7

Sadeqa Johnson's riveting historical fiction novel "The House of Eve" follows the trajectories of two 1950s Black women living in Philadelphia and Washington DC. Clawing her way out of Philadelphia poverty, 15-year-old Ruby Pearsall is the first in her family to go to college and won't let anything stop her from making a name for herself. Eleanor Quarles is a Howard University student struggling to adjust to the social hierarchies of her school. When both girls become pregnant, upending their plans for their lives, it presents a new wave of troubles between themselves, their lovers, and their families. Johnson's portrait of young women with sharp wit and big dreams is powerful and honest.

Release date: Feb. 7

Stephen Graham Jones's final girl Jade Daniels continues to fight for her life in "Don't Fear the Reaper," the intense follow-up to "My Heart Is a Chainsaw." A survivor of her hometown's Independence Day Massacre, Jade (now going by Jennifer) is ready to put her blood-filled past behind her. But a failed prison transfer in the middle of a snowstorm accidentally releases famed serial killer Dark Mill South, and he's selected her town as his next target. Pulling from her extensive knowledge of slasher-film survival rules, Jade attempts to skirt the reign of violence fallen upon her hometown once again, but even she knows surviving a slasher twice is one of the hardest tropes to break.

Release date: Feb. 7

"Just My Type" is Falon Ballard's charming ode to writers' passion and love. Relationship columnist Lana Parker has never not been in a relationship. When a sudden breakup with her longtime boyfriend leaves her single and without ideas for her work, her boss challenges her to write about being single. To up the incentive, he invites her ex and writing rival Seth to a similar trial: write about settling down after years of articles about the single life. He offers the most successful of the two a dream job to sweeten the deal. The new coworkers are ready to rise to the challenge, but as their feelings begin to get in the way of their success, Lana and Seth's race to the finish line might cost them a real shot at finding love.

Release date: Feb. 7

Set during WWI, Janie Chang's "The Porcelain Moon" is a captivating historical fiction novel following two women escaping from societal expectations and the lengths they'll go to to protect their freedoms. Camille is preparing to leave her abusive husband when she meets Pauline, a young Chinese woman who recently ran away from home to avoid an arranged marriage. The pair's quick connection leads Camille to offer to house Pauline, but soon enough, they both realize their quick friendship and newfound proximity threatens to unearth their dark secrets. When their secrets threaten to upend both of their lives, Camille and Pauline will do anything to protect themselves, resulting in an act that will ultimately affect both of their futures.

Release date: Feb. 21

In Rebecca Makkai's skillfully crafted academic mystery "I Have Some Questions For You," a former boarding-school student returns to the scene of a tragic school murder. Bodie, a successful podcaster, tries not to reflect on her time at her New Hampshire boarding school. During her spring semester, her roommate Thalia was brutally murdered, and the school's athletic coach was convicted of the crime. But when she's offered a professor role she can't turn down, she returns to the site of the tragedy and begins to extract new details about the incident that may point to a completely new suspect. Bodie's reckoning of the past will bring shocking consequences to her life at present.

Release date: Feb. 21

Debut author Trang Thanh Tran intends to make readers' skin crawl with "She Is a Haunting." Bisexual Vietnamese American 17-year-old Jade Nguyen travels to Vietnam to spend time with her estranged father, hoping that if she performs as the dutiful straight daughter he's always desired, he'll pay for her college tuition. But the French colonial house she's staying in has a sinister energy that gives her sleep paralysis, the horrifying feeling of bugs crawling over her body, and visions of a bride bearing warnings. Jade's investigation into the house's history may uncover dark family secrets she and her family may never recover from.

Release date: Feb. 28

Kelly Barnhill continues her fascinating interpretations of fairy tales in "The Crane Husband," a retelling of the Japanese folk tale The Crane Wife. In a Midwestern family, a 15-year-old shoulders the responsibility of caring for her younger sibling when her mother suddenly brings home an unexpected new romantic fling: a six-foot crane whose viciousness goes unseen by the mother. Charged with protecting herself and her brother, one teenager is forced to make harrowing decisions to ensure their survival as they watch their mother fall deeper into the crane's destructive clutches. Barnhill's navigation of a teen's harrowing experience with violence and fear is expertly crafted with care and skill.

Release date: Feb. 28

In Kristina Forest's "The Neighbor Favor," an anonymous email exchange transforms into a real-life shot at love for two unsuspecting new neighbors. Lily Greene's correspondence with her favorite author was a highlight in her life. That is, until he suddenly ghosted her without a word. When she meets her new neighbor Nick, she's determined to break out of her shell and meet someone new and enlists Nick to help, unknowingly roping her former pen pal into a romance scheme. However, Nick has figured out exactly who Lily is and hopes to rekindle things with her. If only he could tell her who he really is. This is one favor that may be impossible to get done.

Release date: Feb. 28

Revisiting the "The Priory of the Orange Tree" universe, Samantha Shannon centers the journeys of four young women with the power to define the world in this stand-alone prequel "A Day of Fallen Night." Tunuva Melim aims to prove her worth to her people by chasing after a runaway citizen whose allies could harm her sanctuary, while mother-daughter duo Sabran the Ambitious and Glorian Berethnet struggle under the weight of rising responsibilities as women connected to the throne. Meanwhile, Dumai's quiet life on the mountainside is interrupted when ghosts of her family's past come back with expectations Dumai fears she cannot meet.

Release date: Feb. 28

Rachel Hawkins's electrifying mystery "The Villa" takes place in an Italian manor with a murderous backstory. Lifelong best friends Chess and Emily have felt a growing fracture in their friendship since hitting adulthood. In an effort to revive their friendship, they decide to take a trip to Italy together. Upon arrival, Emily is enthralled by the villa's history: it's where the grizzly 1974 murder of up-and-coming rockstar Pierce Sheldon took place. As Emily's investigation sparks ideas for her writing, Chess struggles to hit her stride in her own work, bringing tension to their would-be idyllic trip. Emily's suspicions of foul play in Sheldon's death might be put on hold, because with her star on the rise and her friendship fraying, the villa may see history repeating itself.

Release date: Jan. 3

In Deepti Kapoor's seductive novel "Age of Vice," a fatal car crash sets off a remarkable chain of events within the wealthy society of New Delhi. With five killed in the accident, the police accuse Ajay, a servant of a powerful, wealthy family who can't explain the events of the evening. Meanwhile, Ajay's employers enjoy the spoils of power and influence. They include Sunny Wadia, India's wealthiest heir who hopes to step out of his father's shadow. Neda, a journalist, gets pulled into Sunny's opulent lifestyle while writing an exposé about the corruption of the rich. When she uncovers Sunny's role in the horrific accident, she sees just how far the Wadia family's power reaches — and how quickly they could take down people like her and Ajay. Kapoor invites readers to question how far they're willing to go for their vices in this seductive crime novel that tackles themes of greed, power, and integrity.

Release date: Jan. 3

After finding massive success on #BookTok with her STEM-centered romances, Ali Hazelwood combines her three best romances into one collection in "Loathe to Love You." At the core of Hazelwood's romances are three women in STEM careers finding unexpected love with their competitive peers. "Under One Roof" boasts a charming tale of an engineer and a lawyer stuck as roommates, "Stuck With You" traps academic rivals in a New York City elevator, and "Below Zero" brings high stakes as it follows an engineer trapped in a freezing research center with only her nemesis willing to make the dangerous journey to find her. Hazelwood gives readers an extra treat, adding an exclusive bonus chapter to the special release.

Release date: Jan. 3

In Leigh Bardugo's "Ninth House" sequel, "Hell Bent," the paranormal adventures of drug-dealer-turned-Ivy League-student Alex Stern continue. Alex is under strict orders from the higher-ups at the magical society Lethe House: under no circumstances is she to attempt to rescue her mentor, Darlington, after he was condemned to Hell. Never one to follow the rules, Alex knows the cost of getting her best friend back is heading into the underworld and getting a soul, but the feat sounds easier than it actually is. Risking her life and the safety of Lethe House, Alex's attempt at bravery may cost her and her allies everything. Leigh's expansive worldbuilding and dynamic cast withholding their mysterious intentions make "Hell Bent" a gripping read throughout.

Release date: Jan. 10

"Friday I'm in Love" is an absolutely joyous YA coming-of-age novel from Camryn Garrett. Mahalia Harris always wanted to have a big sweet 16, but since that never came to be, she plans something even better: a big coming-out party! Coming out to her friends and family as bisexual at a massive party wearing a cute dress is now all Mahalia can dream of, but reality is getting in the way. She's struggling to make money and to discuss financial disparities with her best friend, all while desperately trying to get the new girl, Siobhan, to notice her. Altogether, the party is feeling less like a celebration and more like a failure by the day. But no matter what's in her bank account or who is by her side, Mahalia is determined to come out and make the special moment perfect.

Release date: Jan. 10

"All the Dangerous Things" by Stacy Willingham follows a grief-stricken mother willing to put her pain on display in exchange for answers about her missing baby. One year ago, journalist Isabelle Drake went to bed and woke to find her baby missing from his crib. Despite telling the police everything she knows, they have no leads, and — growing desperate for answers — she accepts an offer from a true-crime podcaster hoping to shine new light on the case. Questions about her past awaken truths Isabelle has tried to ignore and reveals the answer to her biggest question may have been with her all along.

Release date: Jan. 10

Heather Darwent's hair-raising debut, "The Things We Do to Our Friends," calls into question who one can really call an ally. When Clare arrives at school in Edinburgh, she plans to bury her past and reemerge a shinier new version of herself. This version of Clare is drawn to the enigmatic Tabitha and her circle of popular and equally mysterious friends. When they invite her to be a part of her circle, Clare can't refuse the alluring request. But Tabitha and her friends are working on something and need Clare's assistance. Once Clare realizes the insidious intentions hidden behind their perfect smiles and rich clothes, it may be too late for her to leave. Besides, if this is the life she's always dreamed of, she will have to pay for it.

Release date: Jan. 10

Prince Harry, Duke of Essex, offers readers an earnest look into his life as part of the British monarchy in his memoir, "Spare." The death of his mother, Princess Diana, was a devastating world event, but it was a moment of immense loss for Harry. Opening up about that vulnerable period in his life and its long-lasting effects on him and his family, Prince Harry gives readers a look into the life of a royal, including navigating overwhelming media presence, immense grief under the limelight, and learning to love after loss. In a rare and intimate peek behind the curtain, Prince Harry highlights his extraordinary upbringing and how it shaped his character today.

Release date: Jan. 10

"Really Good, Actually" by Monica Heisey follows a young woman trying to keep up appearances as she tackles dating and sex as a recent divorceè. 29-year-old Maggie never expected to be divorced at such a young age, but her husband, Jon, took his things and hasn't been in contact with her since he left. Struggling with the sudden heartbreak, Maggie attempts to find herself by taking on a plethora of hobbies, scrolling dating apps, going out with whomever she wants, and staying up until the wee hours of the night eating her favorite foods. But no matter where Maggie goes, the ache of loneliness is there to find her. With the help of her friends, Maggie will navigate the first year after her divorce with humor and tenderness. Heisey's comedic and sage depiction of life and love's unexpected pitfalls is heartwarming.

Release date: Jan. 17

Horror fans will be excited for more fearsome literature from Grady Hendrix, author of "My Best Friend's Exorcism" and "The Southern Book CLub's Guide to Slaying Vampires." In "How to Sell a Haunted House," Louise returns to her small Southern town after the death of her parents to prepare for the house to be sold. Returning home means dealing with the ghosts of her past, including her younger brother, who she reconnected with after a wounding incident. But family secrets and old grudges aren't the ghosts Louise needs to concern herself with: something is living within the walls of her childhood home that doesn't want her to sell this house, and nothing will stand in its way, including the family that lives in it.

Release date: Jan. 17

Helena Hunting will break your heart and put it back together in her romance "Make a Wish." When Harley Spark was still a nanny, she made a massive mistake in almost kissing her widowed boss, Gavin Rhodes. When he suddenly moved away without a trace, Haley took that as her cue to start moving on with her life and is now working with her sisters at the Spark Hotel. However, a serendipitous meeting at one of Harley's events brings her and Gavin back together, and all of the feelings she thought she'd long buried come flooding back. Despite changing so much, Gavin still recognizes everything he loved about Harley back when she nannied for him, and this time he won't let past hurts and fears let this perfect woman get away.

Release date: Jan. 24

"Georgie, All Along" by Kate Clayborn is a unique love story. Former celebrity assistant Georgie Mulcahy is back in her hometown after she loses her job. Struggling to come up with hopes and dreams of her own, Georgie is reinvigorated by the discovery of her teenage diary, and she plans to use it to help forge a new direction in her life. A series of mishaps lands her with a new roommate, Levi, the school bad boy-turned-solemn homebody, who surprisingly is willing to help Georgie on achieving the activities on her list. As Georgie works through her childhood self's aspirations, she comes to realize what present Georgie needs to thrive, which might include her solitary new friend.

Release date: Jan. 31