It’s only early March, and 2025 has already delivered some of my most-anticipated books of the year—several ARCs I was completely in love with have already hit shelves. And yet, there are still so many incredible releases on the horizon, and I’m impatiently refreshing my pre-order list. Some of these books are from authors I trust to deliver, some just sound too good to ignore, and a few are continuations of series I’m already obsessed with. I haven’t read most of them yet, so no promises they’ll be amazing—but I am excited to find out.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Expected Release: June 3, 2025
Taylor Jenkins Reid is back, this time taking on the 1980s space program. I don’t need much more than her name to be intrigued, but the premise promises a mix of ambition, high stakes, and complicated relationships—all things she excels at. If you liked The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Daisy Jones & The Six, this is one to watch.
Expected Release: August 26, 2025
R.F. Kuang's books always seem to spark conversation, and Katabasis sounds especially intriguing. It's a historical fantasy that mixes mystery and paranormal elements, following a protagonist who descends into an eerie underworld where the rules of life and death start to unravel. If you like books that mess with your head a little, this sounds like a strong contender.
Expected Release: March 18, 2025
This is the only book on this list I’ve already read, and I loved it. It’s part quirky small-town supernatural drama, part domestic thriller, and part searing exploration of female rage and reclaiming power. Think Twin Peaks meets True Blood, but with the romance of Virgin River. It follows Piers, a woman trying to start over—until she discovers she’s a witch with a very specific and complicated power. The town she’s landed in is tangled up in secrets, magic, and a sheriff who refuses to let her slip quietly into a new life. The tension builds relentlessly, with one threat after another closing in on her, making for an intense, unforgettable read.
Expected Release: May 6, 2025
Julie Soto (Forget Me Not) is back with a romance set in the world of demolition derby. A female lead proving herself in a male-dominated space, a rival who might be the only one who truly understands her ambition—this has all the makings of an addictive, tension-filled love story. If you love romance with grit, keep an eye on this one.
Expected Release: July 15, 2025
Sarah Beth Durst’s The Spell Shop was a hit in 2024, and she’s following it up with The Enchanted Greenhouse, a magical realism novel about a woman who inherits a greenhouse with plants that are more than they seem. It sounds cozy but with an edge—perfect for readers who like their fantasy with a touch of whimsy but also some real stakes.
Expected Release: July 1, 2025
What started as an inside joke in Critical Role is now a full-length romantasy novel, and I am so here for it. Tusk Love follows Guinevere, a merchant’s daughter determined to carve out her own future, and Oskar, a stoic orc warrior with more to him than meets the eye. It promises slow-burn romance, adventure, and just the right amount of humor—basically, everything I want from a fantasy romance.
The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee
Expected Release: October 9, 2025
I haven’t read Fonda Lee’s Green Bone Saga, but I loved Breath of the Dragon, and she's earned a strong reputation for her world-building and character work. The Last Contract of Isako is being described as a "cyberpunk samurai space opera" (???), and frankly, that’s all I needed to know. Expect intense action, intricate world-building, and morally gray characters you can’t help but root for.
Expected Release: September 30, 2025
Sierra Simone is hands-down my favorite spicy romance author. She has an unmatched ability to write unbelievably hot spice while also crafting complex, emotional relationships. Bitter Burn is the third book in her Lyonesse trilogy, which reimagines Arthurian legend with a dark, seductive twist. I loved the first two, and I need this finale immediately. September feels unfairly far away.
Expected Release: September 30, 2025
SenYinLu is best known for Manacled, a dark, devastating Harry Potter AU that has completely wrecked its readers (myself included). Alchemised is actually a rewritten version of Manacled, stripped of its Harry Potter references and reimagined as an original work. Given how much of Manacled's impact was tied to its fan-fiction roots, I’m beyond curious to see how it holds up in this new form—but if anyone can pull it off, it’s her.
Expected Release: July 15, 2025
]I love a good cozy fantasy, and this one sounds like the perfect book to cuddle up with and get lost in. It follows a witch who leaves behind the city and opens a magical inn, but of course, nothing goes quite as smoothly as planned. With a charming setting, heartwarming vibes, and (hopefully) a little found family, I have high hopes this will be one of my favorite comfort reads of the year.
Expected Release: May 20, 2025
Rachel Gillig’s One Dark Window and Two Twisted Crowns were huge hits, but I have to admit—I read One Dark Window and kind of hated it. I’m almost afraid to say that out loud because it’s such a BookTok darling. But I’m still eager to try The Knight and the Moth to see if it was just a fluke that I didn’t click with her duology.
This one follows a woman whose quiet life as a librarian is upended when she’s forced to team up with a fugitive scientist on the run from a powerful order of knights. Secrets, intrigue, and a touch of romance? I’m intrigued, and I’m hoping this will be the book that wins me over.
That’s my 2025 watchlist—so far. Which ones are on your radar? Let’s talk about it!
Member discussion