I was supposed to have this out last month, but the ten books that I am personally most excited about are releasing from August – December. I’m just going to get it out of the way that I am very much anticipating the next ACOTAR book, but because we don’t have a title or synopsis, I’m just going to mention it here, but not talk about it again in the rest of the post. Allegedly it comes out on October 27th. I hope that remains true! But for now, let’s talk about the other books that I am SO excited to have in my hands.
August Releases
Lost and Found by Tarah DeWitt
Goodreads 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 she needs a place to stay, her longtime friend Silas steps in to help. A firefighter grappling with the aftermath of an accident, Silas has his own challenges to work through that have left him cautious and vulnerable.
At first, they expect nothing. But as these two former sunshines knit together in a love that has been unfulfilled until 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.
Content Notes: Cancer, death of a loved one from cancer, grief, IVF, scars from a fire (DeWitt has at the front of the book a full list of content notes that I would recommend looking over before you pick up the book if you have a chance to flip through the physical copy.)
Why I’m Excited: Well, first of all, I just finished this book at the end of July and it’s a favorite of the year for sure. But prior to that I was excited because of how much I love Tarah DeWitt and this series in particular.
Release Date: August 4th
Let’s Kiss and Tell by Joss Richard
Goodreads Synopsis: Lucy Reid’s about to fake it.
As a sex columnist, her views on relationships aren’t exactly optimistic.
Instead, she encourages readers to embrace their sexuality and that you don’t need a partner to be happy. But when her team claims that all their readers are in relationships, and that it might be time for something – or someone – new, she’s got to act fast.
Enter Marshall Oakley.
Marshall is the new Senior News Writer at Lucy’s company, and he’s just confessed to needing a girlfriend for his ex’s wedding. Faking a relationship is perfect. Marshall can finally prove he’s moved on, and Lucy can write about finding ‘the one’ only to break up and prove to readers – and her bosses – that relationships don’t solve everything.
But spending lots of time together and faking affection has lines blurring… And now the two of them must find the courage to rewrite their story with a happily ever after.
Why I’m Excited: I loved Richards debut last year so I’m really excited about this new book from her and the fact that it’s fake dating? Perfection.
Release Date: August 11, 2026
September Releases
So, as we can tell, September is packed with new releases I’m excited about…
Dead Beat by Leigh Bardugo
I’m not going to provide the synopsis of Dead Beat because I don’t want to spoil Ninth House for you, but essentially, this is the third book in Bardugo’s adult fantasy series. Alex Stern grew up in a terrible way and one day she gets recruited to go to Yale to essentially help keep these magic secret societies in line with their ghost-y nonsense. There she meets her mentor, Darlington, and we love him. Well, I love him, anyway. The series is dark and definitely more horror forward than books I typically go for, but again, I love Leigh Bardugo so here we are.
Why I’m Excited: This is the conclusion to the trilogy, which is actually devastating, but I’m excited to close it out.
Release Date: September 15, 2026
The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw
Goodreads Synopsis: From the moment Scharisse Freeman ditched her humble roots and married a megachurch pastor fifteen years her senior, she’s been labeled too brash and too “of the world” by church folks who grudgingly accepted her into their fold, and too holy by her estranged childhood bestie Petra. Schar doesn’t have many allies, but that hasn’t stopped her from building an enviable business empire spanning books to clothing to branded products, and living the comfortable life her husband’s power affords her.
On the eve of her 40th birthday, Schar gets the final bit of validation she’s always dreamt a coveted invitation to participate in the First Lady USA pageant. This is her chance to be accepted by the other pastors’ wives—First Ladies—who are “like Jesus’ disciples if they had been a group of mean girls.” Finally, blissfully, the ice between Schar and the other First Ladies begins to thaw.
But as the pageant nears, a sensational scandal breaks with Schar at its center, and her carefully curated life implodes. Schar faces down shame and terrible secrets from her childhood and is reminded that in the eyes of the church, optics can matter more than the truth.
Why I’m Excited: I loved Philyaw’s short story collection, The Secret Lives of Church Ladies. It was brilliant and I say that as a person who isn’t much of a short story person. Her collection had me inspired so I bought several other collections and so far, I remain not a short story person. Anyway, her writing is really great and I liked the way she crafted the short stories so I can’t wait for this long form book!
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Threshing Day by Rebecca Yarros
We don’t really have a synopsis for this one besides it’s 13 short stories about Threshing Day…
Why I’m Excited: I know I just finished talking about how I’m not much of a short story person, but I think the fact that these are going to be from characters I already know, I’ll have a great time. Also, I just need more Fourth Wing content at the moment. Like, it’s been too long since we got Onyx Storm and while I want Rebecca to take her time, I’m not good at waiting.
Release Date: September 29, 2026
Free Falling by Lyla Sage
Goodreads Synopsis: Clarke Cartwright probably needed to get out more. She just had a lot to do. Running Toade’s Antiques was no small feat, especially considering that the roof was in shambles and half her merchandise was unsellable. But dealing with that felt easier than her other two options: third-wheeling with her best friend…again, or chatting it up with the ghost of her childhood crush’s father, who just can’t seem to leave her alone.
Leith Wilkes has spent his life preparing to take over his family’s farm. Well, he’s actually spent most of his life flirting, but now he’s ready to buckle down, which has nothing to do with an oddly specific clause that his dad left in his inheritance. Leith is pretty sure he’s the only one who knows about it…until Clarke drunkenly spills that she knows, too, along with a bunch of other Wilkes family secrets.
Leith starts to wonder if there’s more to Clarke than she lets on…and if his dad has something to do with it. And if she is keeping secrets of her own, maybe she won’t mind helping him with his.
Why I’m Excited: I just love Lyla Sage. Truly. And I’m looking forward to Clarke’s book. Also, did you hear we’re getting three books from Lyla Sage in 2027?? I’m excited for more information about that too.
Release Date: September 22, 2026
Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison
Goodreads Synopsis: Darcy Moore is tired of death. Which would be fine and good … if she wasn’t a Grim Reaper. Determined to outrun her designation as the villain, Darcy decides she won’t be dragging her next assignment to the underworld. She’ll be saving him instead.
Unfortunately for Darcy, there’s a complication in her plan. Guardian Angel Gabriel Aetos doesn’t tolerate threats to his little corner of the world, and a Grim Reaper showing up at his bar is as deadly as it gets. But when he realizes Darcy is not as she seems, Gabriel must decide if he can trust his growing feelings or hold on to his long-standing grudge.
But magic doesn’t come without consequences. And the Department of Hauntings & Spirits will eventually come calling for their missing Reaper.
Why I’m Excited: I mean, aside from the magnificence of that synopsis, I’m a trash panda for B.K. Borison. I just love her writing. I’m so excited to have this one in my hands.
Release Date: September 15, 2026
A Study in Sparkling by Jodi McAlister
Goodreads Synopsis: Fiona Fisher thought she had it a loving husband, three kids, and a life far away from the suffocating expectations of her family. But when her husband reveals that he’s leaving her for his secret second family, Fiona is left devastated and humiliated.
Satoshi Tsukamoto wants it all. He’s the owner of a popular wine bar, and he’s studying for the hardest test in the the Master Sommelier exam. There aren’t enough hours in the day for anything else—except maybe for Fiona, his favorite customer, and the woman he’s absolutely, head-over-heels in love with.
On paper, Fiona and Satoshi make no sense. He’s eight years younger than her and has no time for romance. She’s a single mother and doesn’t know if she’ll ever be able to trust anyone again. But how can Fiona resist when Satoshi suggests they give into their mutual attraction and let off some steam? And how can Satoshi resist when the woman he adores is finally within his grasp—even if they’ve agreed to keep things casual?
Why I’m Excited: I really loved An Academic Affair last year, but also McAlister’s Marry Me Juliet series. I just adore her writing and I am so excited about Fiona’s story. Like SO excited.
Release Date: September 15, 2026
Love Felt Like This by Julie Olivia
Goodreads Synopsis: Griffin Harvey lives his life in the spotlight. Reluctantly. The brooding famous singer-songwriter is on the cusp of composing his sophomore album . . . if only he could find the notes. But after gaining custody of his two-year-old daughter, the only music he’s writing is about shapes and counting to ten.
Enter Beverly, who lives her life in the background producing children’s television and laughter. Except joy is hard to find when her nonprofit loses funding. She sinks all of her savings to revive the children’s show by herself, but when her variety show appearance collides with Griffin’s, their banter and chemistry is caught on live television.
Suddenly, Griffin is singing a new tune. He needs a muse, and Beverly needs all the help she can get. With his secret daughter in tow, they hide out in her cozy mountain hometown, attempting to script, compose, and revive television magic. Their dynamic shouldn’t work. He’s all harsh tattoos and rough hands while she’s bright colors and gentle touches. Once their three months of work are done, they’ll return to their separate worlds. But what happens when it seems the true magic might be found in each other?
Why I’m Excited: My love for If It Makes You Happy knows no bounds. Like, I am fully in love with that book. It was a favorite when I read it before it got picked up for traditional publishing and I’m thrilled to have such a gorgeous paperback copy now. Anyway, I can’t wait for Love Felt Like This to read Olivia’s writing again.
Release Date: September 8, 2026
December Release
Cold Redemption by Nalini Singh
Okay, here’s the deal, do not read this synopsis if you aren’t at least through the OG Psy-Changelings.
Goodreads Synopsis: Amara Aleine was born emotionless. A scientist with a piercing, cold intellect, the only person who matters to her is her identical twin. Some term her a psychopath. They might be right.
Pax Marshall is the epitome of Psy perfection. Raised by his ruthless grandfather, he was never permitted to be anything less. But Scarab Syndrome has ravaged his mind, until he’s now mere weeks away from total psychic collapse, insanity…and death. Any cure will come too late for him, but he is determined to spend his last weeks fighting for the rest of the afflicted.
Amara has never seen a mind as clean, as orderly, as beautiful, as Pax Marshall’s. Patient Zero. A twin just like her. And a man so cold-blooded that everyone warns her about him—when she is used to being the predator in the room.
As they work together in a hunt for the cure, Pax’s enemies deliver a violent strike. The choice Amara makes as Pax struggles to survive will have consequences far beyond anything Amara or Pax could have ever imagined.
This time, Amara might just have played herself…
Why I’m Excited: First, I just love this series, but second, WHAT DO YOU MEAN? I am baffled and confused about how Nalini is going to make this work. I can’t wait to read it and find out.
Release Date: December 1, 2026
Honorable Mentions
September
(I know, I can’t believe there are more either…)
October
November
December
Closing Thoughts
There are definitely still plenty of exciting books to come. I can’t wait for September even if it looks like I’ll be going broke… Oh well! What books are you most looking forward to? I’d love to hear about them!
xx
firewhiskeyreader 