This post is certainly heavily weighted toward the beginning of the year, but that’s just how things work with publishing, I feel like. Anyway, I’m quite excited to talk about these 12 books and throw in a couple of books that I’m hoping come out at some point. So let’s hop to it, shall we?
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
Synopsis: When Maggie wakes up cold, filthy and naked in a gutter, it doesn’t take her long to recognize Kair Toren. It’s a city she knows intimately from the pages of a famously unfinished dark fantasy series – one she’s been obsessively reading and re-reading, while waiting years for the final novel.
Her only tools for navigating this gritty world of rival warlords, magic and mayhem? Her encyclopaedic knowledge of the plot, the setting and the characters’ ambitions and fates. But while she quickly discovers she cannot be killed (though many will try!), the same cannot be said for the living, breathing characters she’s coming to love – a motley band that includes a former lady’s maid, a deadly assassin, various outrageous magical creatures and a dangerously appealing soldier. Soon, instead of trying to return home, she finds herself enmeshed in the schemes – and attentions – of duelling princes, dukes and villains. This all while trying to save them and the kingdom of Rellas from the ending she’s seen on the a cataclysmic war.
Why I’m Excited: Two words: Ilona Andrews. I am desperately waiting for so many books from this writing duo, but I suppose I will start this new series alongside them and enjoy it.
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Score by Kennedy Ryan
Synopsis: You never forget your first love. Isn’t that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn’t simply miss Wright “Monk” Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She’s haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since—it’s a shadow of what they had.
Time heals all wounds. Isn’t that what they say? Monk doesn’t believe that for a second. He wasn’t simply betrayed when he and Verity split. He was devastated, with parts of him left behind in the ruins of all that was destroyed.
More than a decade after their disastrous breakup, Verity and Monk must work together on the set of an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. With Monk, now a world-class musician, creating the score, and Verity, an award-winning screenwriter, penning the script, there’s Oscar buzz before shooting even begins. This once-in-a-lifetime project could catapult them both to new heights, but can they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film…for the sake of something more?
Why I’m Excited: Reel is one of my favorite Kennedy Ryan books so even if I wasn’t always excited to read her books, Score would still hold a special place in my estimation because I genuinely cannot wait.
Release Date: May 19, 2026
The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn
Synopsis: Physician Layla Bailey has spent over a year telling herself she’s moved on from a painful but amicable divorce from her college sweetheart. Staying friends with her ex seemed like the mature thing to do, but when Layla is invited to her former sister-in-law’s destination wedding in Paris—where Layla once spent her own romantic honeymoon—she knows her commitment to maturity might be her worst enemy…especially since her ex isn’t attending alone.
The only thing that could make the week more difficult is getting through it without the distraction of the wedding…. But when what Layla thought was a harmless conversation about the choices of her younger self leads to the bride getting cold feet, Layla finds herself facing down the groom’s mysterious, taciturn best man, Griffin, who will do anything to make sure this wedding happens.
Since she broke it, Griff demands she help him fix it. Going along with his plan to alleviate the engaged couple’s doubts seems like Layla’s best chance at maintaining a good relationship with a family she once called her own. But as she learns more about the past heartbreak that’s driving Griff to help his friend, she gets closer and closer to confronting the true depth of her own pain…while finding herself more and more willing to risk it all again for Griff.
Why I’m Excited: I love Kate Clayborn. Her writing is impeccable and I cannot wait to be immersed into this new world that she has created.
Release Date: April 7, 2026
The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez
Synopsis: In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything…
For Larissa, it came when choosing which guy to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great together, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.
But Chris isn’t the one who drove Larissa home all those months ago—Chris is her boyfriend’s best friend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else. And he’s just not that guy.
Why I’m Excited: I love Abby Jimenez!
Release Date: March 31, 2026
Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano
Basically, this book follows Finlay after things have caught up to Vero and I cannot wait to read this one! I’m so obsessed with this series and I just want to be able to listen to this one right now.
Release Date: March 10, 2026
And Now, Back to You by B.K. Borison
Synopsis: Jackson Clark and Delilah Stewart have had their fair share of run-ins over the years, often ending in disaster. While Jackson thrives on routine and organization from the comfort of his radio booth, Delilah loves the spontaneity and adventure out in the field. When they’re partnered against their will to cover the snowstorm of the century, they find themselves scrambling to figure out how to work together.
Eager to be taken seriously as a journalist, Delilah offers Jackson a deal. If he can help her ace this assignment, she’ll help him rediscover his long-lost fun side. With an undiscovered chemistry burning beneath their clashes, the unlikely partnership quickly tumbles into an easy and surprising friendship.
But when other feelings start to enter the equation, can Jackson and Delilah withstand the storm? Or does what happens in the mountains, stay in the mountains?
Why I’m Excited: For one thing, I love B.K. Borison, but for another thing, I really loved First-Time Caller.
Release Date: February 24, 2026
Archangel’s Eternity by Nalini Singh
Y’all… I can’t put a synopsis here because this is the FINAL book in the Guild Hunters series and I’m not quite ready to let go of the series yet. But also, this might be the best cover we’ve ever had. I’m truly delighted by its existence.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry
Again, I can’t give y’all the synopsis because this is the second book in this series… I actually don’t know how many books long this is supposed to be. But I absolutely adored Shield of Sparrows, the first book in this series. It was so much fun.
Release Date: April 7, 2026
Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt
Synopsis: Bea always wanted to be a mom, but she never expected she’d have to lose her best friend to do it. Armed with nothing but her best friend’s eggs and a bucket list to complete, Bea’s world is a sea of changes.
When Silas steps in to give her a place to live when she needs it, Bea is half-relieved she has a longtime friend in her corner. A firefighter living in the wake of an accident, Silas has his own challenges to work through that have left him cautious and vulnerable in equal measure. At first, they expect nothing. But as these two former sunshines knit together in a love that has been unfulfilled till now, a new beginning comes out of the ashes of the past. One that will lead to a love that can withstand all the slings and arrows, joys and triumphs, that life can throw.
Why I’m Excited: I have loved both Savor It and Left of Forever so I cannot wait to read the next (and final, *sobs*) book in the Spunes world.
Release Date: July 14, 2026
Fury Bound by Sable Sorensen
I can’t give you a synopsis of this one either as it’s also the follow up of Dire Bound, but let’s just say, with the way that one left off, I am so excited to pick this one up the minute it comes out.
Release Date: May 5, 2026
In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto
Synopsis: Nothing can rain on Quincy Munroe’s parade the day she reaches 1 million followers on her meteorology Instagram. With a PhD in Atmospheric Sciences and a belief in herself, this is what she’s been building toward. Quincy is a woman-in-STEM whose spent the better part of a decade forging her own path in the male dominated meteorology game. She’s her own boss, and the only limits on her career are those she sets for herself.
Nothing can stop it, that is, except for the ill-timed arrival of Sebastian Dunn. Brother of her best friend. Long-suffering academic and professional rival. Satan’s henchman sent up from Hades to torture Quincy. And, unfortunately, Glen Powell’s dark-haired look-alike with muscles as big as her thighs.
But Sebastian did not return to their tiny hometown to torture Quincy. He’s returned from his big life in New York City, on leave from his high-profile news job to film a hurricane docuseries, a project he hopes will combat his deep career burnout. So, for the duration of this scorching Floridian summer, Sebastian and Quincy are forced into close quarters and near constant proximity. What begins as a decades-long feud competing in the same small field, melts into something like friendship, and ultimately more, as they set aside grudges to chase storms together.
Why I’m Excited: I have LOVED Curto’s D.C. Stars series so much. I wasn’t able to follow her into her foray into dark comedic romance, but I can definitely follow her into storm chasing. I think.
Release Date: July 16, 2026
Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar
Synopsis: Neelu Pillai makes a last-minute decision to fly to Scotland for her estranged father’s wedding with one goal: get in and get out with as little conflict as possible. But when her tipsy tirade at the rehearsal dinner is the reason her father gets left at the altar, she agrees to help him track down his runaway bride.
There’s just one problem: the third member of this road trip through the highlands is the hot desi bagpiper from the wedding, who just happens to be Neelu’s recent one-night stand. They couldn’t keep their hands off each other a few nights ago, but now he can’t seem to stand her.
Their journey to Skye is certainly not smooth, but as the two work through the obstacles, doing their best to reunite Neelu’s father with his bride, they realize that there’s more to each other than meets the eye. And that the electric connection they’d felt the night they met is still as strong as ever…
Fiery first impressions, fierce clashes, and undeniable chemistry make for a bumpy ride through the Highlands in this swoony, witty romance about family, forgiveness, and finding love where you least expect it.
Why I’m Excited: I have enjoyed both of Kumar’s previous releases and this one is set in the Highlands? I mean, what could possibly go wrong?
Release Date: July 21, 2026
Closing Thoughts
There are also books I’m looking forward to that as far as I know don’t have cover announcements yet, which include Nalini Singh’s next Psy-Changeling book and I live in hope that SJM is going to give us the next ACOTAR book. I also just found out that Ilona Andrews is giving us an Augustine and Diana novella from the Hidden Legacy world and I am SO EXCITED. If you’re curious about the books I’m looking forward to each month, definitely check out my monthly TBR and New Releases because I will absolutely be sharing throughout the year. But in the meantime, what books are you looking forward to?
xx
firewhiskeyreader 