2025's Most Anticipated Reads: A Preview of Next Year's Book Magic
Dear fellow book readers,
There's something magical about looking ahead to next year's books – it's like peeking through a window into countless worlds waiting to unfold. We've been curled up with our favorite tea, poring over publisher catalogs and upcoming releases, and we simply couldn't keep our excitement to ourselves! Here's our curated collection of 2025's most anticipated reads that have us practically buzzing with bookish joy.
Want to support Happenstance while pre-ordering these exciting titles? Check out our curated Bookshop.org list below:
Fantasy & Science Fiction That Makes Our Hearts Soar
January
Enchantra by Kaylie Smith (January 14) - If you haven't read Phantasma yet, run don't walk to get your hands on it! It was one of our unexpected favorites of 2024, and this sequel looks just as enchanting.
Watch Me by Tahereh Mafi (January 21) - A new addition to the Shatter Me series! Fun fact: Shatter Me is one of this year's Battle of the Books picks for high schoolers.
Emily Wilde's Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett (January 28) - The third installment in the adventures of our favorite antisocial dryadologist. We can't wait to see what mysteries Emily uncovers next!
February
Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell (February 1) - This dark YA fantasy promises to blend African mythology with contemporary magic in a way that looks absolutely mesmerizing.
Oathbound by Tracy Deonn (February 4) - North Carolina's own Tracy Deonn returns with another installment in her fantastic series. We might be a little biased, but our local authors are simply incredible!
The Primal of Blood and Bone by Jennifer L. Armentrout (February 11) - If we had to pick just one "most anticipated" book for 2025, this would be it. Mark your calendars for release day!
Gifted and Talented by Olivie Blake (February 18) - From the author who brought us The Atlas Six comes this new standalone about a supernatural boarding school. Think The Secret History meets The Magicians, and we're absolutely here for it.
The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley (February 25) - A deliciously tropey enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance that looks too good to resist.
March
Homegrown Magic by Jamie Pacton and Rebecca Podos (March 1) - This cozy YA fantasy about found family and small-town magic promises to be like a warm hug in book form.
Scythe & Sparrow by Brynne Weaver (March 4) - The finale of the Ruinous Love Trilogy! We're equal parts excited and nervous to see how it all ends.
When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi (March 18) - The moon turns into cheese. Yes, you read that right. John Scalzi is writing a book about the moon turning into cheese, and honestly? We're here for every deliciously weird moment it promises.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab (March 26) - A new Schwab novel is always cause for celebration, and this one sounds particularly haunting.
April
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins (April 1) - Finally, Haymitch's story! We know where his journey ends, but now we'll get to see how it began. Better stock up on tissues.
The Bones Beneath My Skin by TJ Klune (April 8) - This new story promises Klune's signature blend of heart, humor, and humanity - we're already emotional just reading the synopsis.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros (April 15) - The third book in the Empyrean series looks set to be just as thrilling as its predecessors.
Contemporary Stories That Warm Our Hearts
January
That's What She Said by Eleanor Pilcher (January 7) - Pilcher's women's fiction debut follows demisexual Beth and her free-spirited best friend Serena on a journey of self-discovery, friendship, and love. This one sounds both hilarious and heartwarming!
Brewed with Love by Shelly Page (January 15) - This looks like the perfect book to curl up with on a chilly winter evening.
February
Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister (February 14) - A gripping domestic thriller that promises to explore the weight of final conversations and the secrets we keep from those closest to us.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood (February 25) - At this point, Hazelwood could write a phone book and we'd read it. Her STEM romances never disappoint!
March
The Strawberry Patch Pancake House by Laurie Gilmore (March 5) - Small-town charm meets second chances in what sounds like the perfect comfort read. Fair warning: this one might make you crave pancakes!
The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn (March 12) - A fascinating dive into the untold stories of women working in early Hollywood. Our historical fiction lovers are already buzzing about this one.
End of Story by AJ Finn (March 19) - This psychological thriller's synopsis alone has us checking our locks at night.
A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper (March 26) - Harper's signature wit meets cozy mystery in what promises to be a delightfully entertaining read.
Magical Tales That Feel Like Coming Home
March
Spells, Strings, and Forgotten Things by Breanne Randall (March 11) - After The Unfortunate Side Effects of Heartbreak and Magic became one of our favorites in 2024, this follow-up looks equally enchanting.
The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst (March 25) - The cozy follow-up to The Spellshop promises to deliver more of that perfect blend of romance and magic.
April
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna (April 8) - After falling in love with The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches in 2024, we're counting down the days until we can return to this magical world.
Stories That Celebrate Community & Connection
March
So Many Stars: An Oral History of Trans, Nonbinary, Genderqueer, and Two-Spirit People of Color by Caro de Robertis (March 5) - A powerful collection of voices that promises to illuminate and inspire.
Love Is for All of Us: Poems of Tenderness and Belonging from the LGBTQ+ Community and Friends Edited by James Crews & Brad Peacock, Art by Lisa Congdon (March 12) - Poetry and art combine in what looks to be a beautiful celebration of love in all its forms.
Women of the Fairy Tale Resistance: The Forgotten Founding Mothers of the Fairy Tale and the Stories That They Spun by Jane Harrington (March 19) - An illuminating exploration of the women who shaped our most beloved stories.
Nonfiction That Captivates
February
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green (February 18) - Trust John Green to make medical history both fascinating and accessible.
March
Baking Across America: A Vintage Recipe Road Trip by B. Dylan Hollis (March 26) - A mouth-watering journey through America's culinary history that we can't wait to feature in our cookbook corner.
Brooke Shields Is Not Allowed to Get Old by Brooke Shields (March 26) - A candid, witty exploration of aging in the public eye that promises to be both thought-provoking and entertaining.
Magical Mysteries & Bookish Adventures
February
The Library at Hellebore by Cassandra Khaw (February 4) - A gothic fantasy set in a mysterious library? This feels like it was written just for book lovers.
The Mystery of Locked Rooms by Lindsay Currie (February 11) - This middle-grade mystery looks set to channel all the best parts of classic locked-room puzzles with a supernatural twist.
March
The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold (March 5) - A post-apocalyptic tale about the power of stories to save humanity? As fellow bookstore enthusiasts, this one speaks directly to our hearts.
The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill (March 19) - A magical realism story about a bookstore that exists between worlds - this might give us some ideas for our own shop!
The Rainfall Market by You Yeong-Gwang (March 26) - This translated fantasy about a mysterious market that only appears in the rain sounds absolutely enchanting.
What books are you most looking forward to in 2025? Drop by our social media and let us know – we'd love to add your anticipated reads to our pre-order list! And remember, while we're still in our pre-launch phase, you can always join our online community to share in the bookish excitement.
With warmth and wonder,
The Happenstance Team
