25 2025 book releases I can’t wait to read
One of the geekiest things that I do (and it’s a significant list) is collate a running list of books coming out and their releases dates, and I have a hefty list for 2025 already. Debuts, follow ups from favourite authors, continuing books in series and some standalones that I’m desperate for; there are so many incredible sounding novels coming out in 2025.
I think it’s going to be a year of juicy, rich Gothic novels and the continuing trend of cutesy illustrated covers for romance novels.
‘Onyx Storm’ by Rebecca Yarrow (21 Jan)
The third book in ‘The Empyrean’ series and Violet is keeping a secret, searching for an answer and helping gear up for a war that will change the world. I’m going to reread books one and two before dicing into this and it’s going to be one of the best reading experiences of the year. Give me.
‘The Lamb’ by Lucy Rose (30 Jan)
A folk tale, horror story, and a Gothic coming of age novel about mother daughter relationships and women’s suppressed desire and want. I have a proof of this and I think this is going to be a big release for 2025 - it’s already getting so much buzz.
‘Blob: A Love Story’ by Maggie Su (30 Jan)
A young woman turning a sentient blob into her dream man? Um, yes. This sounds like exactly what I want from literary horror. I have a NetGalley proof and it’s killing me to wait on reading this…
‘Deep End’ by Ali Hazelwood (4 Feb)
I’m a bit behind on Ali Hazelwood’s books - she really churns them out! - but I’ll always be excited for her new books. Like most of the romance reading world, I’m sad that the title got changed from ‘Whet’… It’s about two swimmers on their journey to the Olympics.
‘Hungerstone’ by Kat Dunn (13 Feb)
This is a sapphic retelling of ‘Carmilla’ - enough said. It’s set against the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, exploring appetitie and desire. I cannot wait and the cover is stunning.
‘All Our Tomorrows’ by Amy DeBellis (25 Feb)
Set in near future NYC where late stage capitalism is destroying everything, three young women try to find themselves as nihilism, climate anxiety and isolation batter them down.
‘Greenteeth’ by Molly O’Neill (25 Feb)
This debut with a stunning cover is told by a monster who dwells in a lake - Jenny Greenteeth - who rescues a witch who is thrown in by the town. I mean, how good does that sound?! I’m obsessed with the idea of the monster telling the story and I think it’s going to be gloriously Gothic.
‘They Bloom at Night’ by Trang Thanh Tran (4 Mar)
I adored ‘She is a Haunting’ when we read it for the podcast so I’m really excited for more of her small town horror. Following a hurricane which devastated a small Louisiana town leaving an algae bloom and mysterious creatures in the water, with the Cove at the heart of it.
‘Wild Side’ by Elsie Silver (4 Mar)
The third book in the ‘Rose Hill’ series stars Rhys and Tabitha as they get their romance with a marriage of convenience and forced proximity in a small town. I adore this series and Elsie Silver’s books are so addictive.
‘I Am Made of Death’ by Kelly Andrew (4 Mar)
Vivienne has to be accompanied by Thomas everywhere, but she’s determined to shake him off. Her parents don’t let her go anywhere without permission, leave her routine, and she must not go out after dark.
‘Paper Doll’ by Dylan Mulvaney (11 Mar)
I adore Dylan and I’m so excited to hear more about her journey> I really, really hope it gets an audiobook though - I want to hear Dylan tell me her story herself.
‘Go Luck Yourself’ by Sara Raasch (11 Mar)
The first book in this series, ‘The Nightmare Before Kissmas’, got an easy 5 stars from me and this follow up features a prince of Christmas and the prince of St Patrick’s day in what I hope will be another kick-your-feet romance.
‘Idolfire’ by Grace Curtis (13 Mar)
Both of Grace Curtis’s novels have been five star reads for me so I’m very excited to see her move into sapphic fantasy about Kirby and Aleya journeying to Nivela, where the gates are closed and magic is sleeping, from opposite sides of the world.
‘The Vipers’ by Katy Hays (27 Mar)
I adored Katy’s debut, ‘The Cloisters’, and I’m beside myself for this. Every year, the Lingate family return to Capri every year to prove that the tragic death of Sarah Lingate was just that, an accident.
‘Wild and Wrangled’ by Lyla Sage (15 Apr)
The fourth and final book in the ‘Rebel Blue Ranch’ cowboy romance series brings together Cam and Dusty and I worship this series so I’m beyond glad that we only have five months to wait for this one.
‘Eat the Ones You Love’ by Sarah Maria Griffin (22 Apr)
There is a whole synopsis for this book, but this tagline is what hooked me, so that’s what I’m giving you: “A twisted, tangled story about workplace love-affairs, and plants with a taste for human flesh”.
‘Great Big Beautiful Life’ by Emily Henry (22 Apr)
Emily Henry. That’s all I need to say, right? Two writers are in competition to tell the story of an heiress.
‘What If I Never Get Over You’ by Paige Toon (24 Apr)
I’m a Paige Toon stan and I’ll read everything she ever writes so her 2025 release is no exception. Six years after a whirlwind three day romance in Lisbon, the man who she thought might be the one crashes back into her life.
‘Vanishing World’ by Sayaka Murata (24 Apr)
Sayaka Murata writes some of the most horrifying stories I’ve ever read and I’m so excited for a new novel from her about a near future world where all children are artificially conceived.
‘A Letter from the Lonesome Shore’ by Sylvie Cathrall (6 May)
‘A Letter to the Luminous Deep’ was one of my favourite books from this year and I really don’t think it got enough love. Set in an alternate world where the climate crisis has pushed most of the planet underwater, and a woman is trawling through her lost sister’s letters with an academic trying to figure out what happened to her.
‘Nevermoor: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow’ by Jessica Townsend (8 May)
It’s been so many years since book three in this series came out that I’m going to have to reread the entire series before the second arc of the series starts. It’s the only middle grade series that I’m invested in as the world is completely captivating and feels like pure magic.
‘Dream On, Ramona Riley’ by Ashley Herring Blake (13 May)
I adores the ‘Bright Falls’ series and I’m very excited to get to ‘Make the Season Bright’ in December, so I honestly don’t care what this one is about as I’ll be reading it regardless. It is, however, a f/f small town romance between a waitress and a Hollywood star.
‘The Strength of the Few’ by James Islington (26 May)
The second book in the ‘Hierarchy’ series only recently got announced so it’s not even up for pre-order yet, but I can’t wait to be back in this Roman-inspired fantasy series.
‘The Listeners’ by Maggie Stiefvater (3 Jun)
Maggie is finally back and I’m so excited! She’s one of my favourite ever writers and I honestly pre-ordered this before I even knew what it’s about. In the Appalachian mountains, the luxurious Avallon Hotel is called to join the war effort.
‘Atmosphere’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid (5 Jun)
While Reid’s last novel didn’t work for me, I’m still very excited for this foray into the 1980s and the space race as our protagonist trains to be an astronaut.
‘Skipshock’ by Caroline O’Donoghue (5 Jun)
I love Caroline’s books and her podcast, Sentimental Garbage, so her announcement last week of a new scif-i fantasy romance with a cover this stunning?! Tell me less. (But for you: “Margo is on a train to a new boarding school when she slips into another dimension, passing from the height of Irish summer into the chill of an alien winter”)
‘Kill Creatures’ by Rory Power (5 Jun)
I read’ Wilder Girls’ back in 2020 and it’s one that’s really stuck with me, and this one sounds different, but like it’ll have the same tension and horror elements. Nan has spent the last year grieving her three best friends, and now she’s ready to say goodbye at the memorial, until the shock of one of them reappearing.
‘Sounds Like Love’ by Ashley Poston (17 Jun)
I adore Ashley Poston’s books. They’re joyful, emotional, romantic and filled with magic. When a melody comes to Joni with an imagined voice, she wonders if she’s got her musical spark back, until the man with the imaginary voice appears and they appear to have a telepathic connection.
‘Human Rites’ by Juno Dawson (17 Jul)
The final book in the ‘HMRC’ trilogy can’t come soon enough. After a two year wait and a killer cliffhanger, I’m so ready for the final book in this dark, tense, witchy trilogy.
‘Assistant to the Villain 3, Hannah Nicole Maehrer (25 Aug)
I’m not sure if this is the final book, but I am obsessed with this fantasy romance about a girl who becomes an assistant to the villain and I love it so very much.
I’m very much trying not to wish the year away to get these books buttttt….
And that’s not even all of them! There’s some books that haven’t been announced yet, books that have been announced but we have limited details for. Books for days.
Books Slated for 2025 Release but No Release Date
‘Alecto the Ninth’ by Tamsyn Muir
‘Maggie the Undying’ by Ilona Andrews
‘Thursday Murder Club 5’ by Richard Osman
‘The Mating Game’ by Lana Ferguson
‘Sweetwater Peak’ by Lyla Sage
‘Hot Wax’ by ML Rio
What books are your most anticipated for 2025?
Written by Sophie
