Most anticipated books of 2026: New novels from Matt Haig, Toshikazu Kawaguchi, Freida McFadden, Asako Yuzuki, Callie Hart, Sarah A. Parker and Elsie Silver
New year, new titles for the bookshelf, but which to choose? Here’s our round up of the most hotly anticipated novels coming in 2026.
For book worms, one of the most exciting prospects of the new year ahead is all the new novels set to be released, and 2026 has some exciting titles on the horizon. The main issue now is where to start.
To help you devise your latest book stack, we’ve spoken to the experts at TGJones who have put together a guide to the most anticipated books of 2026. Whether you’re on the look out for a thriller to get your blood pumping on even the coldest winter nights or you’re looking ahead to the best fiction dropping before summer to take to the beach with you, they’ve got you covered.
So, wish lists at the ready, here are the biggest titles heading to bookshelves next year you won’t want to miss…
Most anticipated books of 2026
Blood & Roses Volume 1: The new dark romance novel from Callie Hart, writer of the runaway hit Quicksilver. This time, instead of a fantasy setting, the story is set in modern day Seattle, where Sloane Romera is searching for her missing sister – and the only person who can help is the dangerous Zeth Mayfair. Release date: January 20 but available for pre-order now from TGJones for £10.11 (RRP £10.99).
Dear Debbie: A new Freida McFadden thriller is also dropping in January. Debbie is an advice columnist for a local paper, whose life starts spinning out of control – she decides to take matters into her own hands and get payback. It’s been described as a suspenseful and subversively witty book that will have you cheering “good for her!” Release date: January 27 but available for pre-order now for £9.19 (RRP £9.99).
Hooked: The new book from Asako Yuzuki, writer of the bestselling serial killer novel Butter which took the UK by storm last year, is out in March. Hooked is about the successful but lonely Eriko who follows Shoko’s lifestyle blog. The two women become friends, but the relationship is put under strain when Eriko becomes increasingly obsessed and possessive. Release date: March 12 with the English translation of this Japanese novel now available to pre-order from TGJones for £13.79 (RRP £14.99).
The Ballad of Falling Dragons: There’s good news for readers who loved Sarah A. Parker’s fantasy romance When The Moon Hatched, as in April, sequel The Ballad of Falling Dragons will be released. The Moonfall series is centred around the epic love story of Raeve and Kaan, in an imaginative fantasy world full of danger and mystery. When dragons die, they ascend into the sky and become moons – but they have started to crash down, leaving a path of destruction in their wake. Release date: May 19 and available to pre-order from TGJones for £11.00 (RRP £22.00).
Fever Dream: Another hotly anticipated new book due for publication in May, Fever Dream by Elsie Silver. Famous for her small-town, western romances, this time, two rivals find themselves connecting in a way they didn’t expect. Professional bull rider Emmett agrees to take part in a reality dating show to raise the money to save his family farm – and the location consultant Julia is none other than the little sister of his biggest professional rival. In secret, they begin to fall for each other. Release date: May 19, pre-order now for £10.11 (RRP £10.99).
Before I Knew I Loved You: Toshikazu Kawaguchi’s sixth sequel to Before the Coffee Gets Cold, is also coming out next year, taking us back to the magical Funiculi Funicula café. Customers can time travel as long as they follow a long list of rules – including returning before their coffee cools, giving them about an hour. In this heartwarming novel, four more new characters will come to the café, looking for people they have loved and lost, or trying to solve mysteries they’ve always wondered about. Release date: May 21 and is available for pre-order now for £10.11 (RRP: £10.99).
The Midnight Train: Finally, another novel that explores time travel, The Midnight Train by Matt Haig is set to be released following his previous bestselling book The Midnight Library, all about what it would be like if you could see all the alternate versions of your life. In this new novel which the writer has described as more like a sibling than a sequel, Wilbur Budd experiences a near fatal heart attack. As his life flashes before his eyes, he boards a magical train that gives him the chance to revisit the time when he was happiest: his honeymoon, before he lost it all. Release date: May 21 but you can pre-order now from TGJones for £10.00 (RRP: £20.00).
There’s something for everyone coming out next year, from the most exciting new thrillers and romances to poignant stories about life and love. Check out TGJones’ website to find more information about the new releases to know about in 2026.