Okay, y’all, I know that it’s already several days into July, but here’s the thing, there are SO MANY new books coming out in July that I really feel like I have to share these books with you. And I have to remember that if you don’t want to read the posts, you don’t have to!
New Releases Where I Have ARC Copies
So here are the books where you will eventually see a review. Maybe this month, maybe months from now. Who is to say, really?
Truly, how did I wind up with SO many? My Netgalley requesting is such a problem. But lets talk about what these books are:
Sea of Charms by Sarah Beth Durst comes out on July 28, 2026 and follows Marin, a sailor, as she goes about her routes including to the capital right as the political unrest is ramping up. It covers Marin’s adventures that lead to some of the events that we saw in book two, but also extends significantly past that. We see more of the broader world and the romance was really lovely. Also, I really appreciated how many characters are in this book because I think the first two books felt a little more isolated and I couldn’t help but feel like the romances were happening almost by default. This book though shows the romance really being because that’s what these two choose. I really liked it!
Riding the Line by Emma Lucy features a woman with a list, which is one of my favorite things. I love a woman who makes a list to get her life on track with what she wants it to look like and I love it even more when a grumpy cowboy gets involved to help make her dreams come true (especially when he’s helping his best friend’s little sister). This one comes out (trad publishing wise) on July 7, 2026.
In Vera Stein is Completely Fine by Julie Murphy, Vera moves in with her grandmother into her retirement community and somehow winds up with a second chance with her “ill-fated college fling” who is also her ex-husband “according to the State of Nevada.” I am so intrigued. It comes out on July 21, 2026.
Yes, Chef by Grace Rilley is about Poppy and Jack who both need a win and wind up teaming up to turn Jack’s inherited restaurant into something great. I’m really looking forward to this one because so many people have raved about it already! It comes out on July 21, 2026.
The MASH Up by Laura Marie Meyers follows Ruby, who has just experienced a pretty devastating break up when she makes a wish and winds up living out a game of MASH. I am so intrigued by this debut and I really need to start my ARC immediately. It’s out on July 7, 2026.
In Stormy Weather by Chelsea Curto is about rival meterologists during hurricane season in Florida and as I have loved Curto’s hockey series, I am so excited to read her first traditionally published novel. I really hope that I’ll love it just as much as the hockey series. It certainly sounds promising! This one comes out on July 14, 2026.
Destination Funeral by Paige Harbison is a time loop situation that takes place during the weekend of Didion’s mother’s funeral and she, her estranged sister, estranged best friend, and ex-boyfriend are all together at her mother’s house in a small island in Georgia. I loved The Other Side of Now so I’m really excited to get further into this book. I’ve listened to probably 30 minutes of it so still very early days. This book comes out on July 21, 2026.
Die for Me by Shirlene Obuobi is a book about a doctor who winds up being intrigued by her coworker who is 11 years younger than her and there have been a lot of memory lapses. I believe he is a vampire? (So probably not actually 11 years her junior.) Anyway, I am so intrigued and obsessed with the cover. This one is out on July 14, 2026.
Fossil Feud by Maggie North is about two paleontologists who pair up to take down a fraud, aka Ripley’s ex-boyfriend. I am really looking forward to this one because I really enjoy Maggie North’s writing. She always makes me consider going outside. This one comes out on July 28, 2026.
Just a Highland Fling by Naina Kumar is a forced proximity road trip romance between Neelu and the bagpiper from her dad’s wedding, whom she also had a one-night stand with. The two of them and her estranged father are together in this car because Neelu’s speech at her dad’s rehearsal dinner resulted in him being left at the altar. This one comes out on July 21, 2026.
Daggermouth by H.M. Wolfe is a dystopian romance that took a large swath of the reading world by storm, which is why it got picked up for a trad pub deal and I am so excited to finally get to it. One of my besties keeps telling me I have to read it and I’m really looking forward to being able to get that audiobook. Look at this blurb about the book: “Set in a corrupt surveillance state ruled by the masked elite, this true enemies-to-lovers dystopian romance that’s Conform meets V For Vendetta follows a mercenary who botches the assassination of the president’s son and ends up forced to marry him.” Can’t wait to pick it up! I think this one is out July 28th.
Finally, Married with Benefits by Ellie Palmer is about these two people who wind up in a marriage of convenience because of a piece of property in Wisconsin. Also the marriage of convenience is partially for health insurance reasons and I’m going to be honest, that’s the most compelling reason for a marriage of convenience these days. I’m really excited for this one. It comes out on July 21, 2026.
Other New Releases on My Radar
Closing Thoughts
I am so excited for so many of these books! What new releases are you looking forward to? Are there any I left off my list that you think should be on there?
xx
firewhiskeyreader 