With the end of the school year coming soon, summer is just around the corner. It’s a time to sit back, relax and escape into books. From heartwarming romances to magical fantasy worlds and thrilling high-stakes mysteries, these are stories with themes of love, sacrifice, endurance and more.
“Land” by Maggie O’Farrell (June 2): This story is set in 1865 Ireland after the Great Hunger. It follows Tomás and his 10-year-old son, Liam, who are working on the British Ordnance Survey project to map all of Ireland. Tomás is determined to use his map to record the disaster, but his routine work is sent off course by a mysterious encounter in a copse of trees that changes Tomás and forces Liam to try to complete the map to get them both home. The Sunday Times bestselling author of “Hamnet” returns with a story of separation, recovery, and survival as a family makes a new home in the aftermath of a tragedy. This story is designed to move readers through its emotional depth as it explores the bonds between siblings and the transformation between a father and his son.
“The Someday Garden” by Ashley Poston (June 16): The New York Times bestselling author of “The Seven Year Slip” is back with a novel set against the salty air of coastal Maine, following Sophie Drear as she works to revitalize the storied grounds at Lilymoor House. Between the man trapped in the secret garden and fulfilling a promise to her late best friend, her journey explores how to grow, change and love without feeling like you’re leaving those you love behind. Ashley Poston masterfully blends magical elements with heartfelt romance while portraying raw, authentic grief and the process of finding happiness again.
“It Could Have Been Her” by Lisa Jewell (June 23): This story begins when Jane Trevally, a character from Jewell’s previous novel “Don’t Let Him In,” finds a stray white dog on her country estate. Upon learning that the teenager the dog was staying with has gone missing, she decides to travel all the way to London to return the dog to his registered owner. But when she arrives at the house in Hampstead, she is immediately unsettled, realizing that this is the same house where she had a traumatic and near-deadly experience 25 years earlier. Jane knows that the house holds the secrets about both the missing girl and her own past. Rather than just high-intense action, the book excels at building suspense over time while also adding emotional depth to the thrilling elements.
“The Bachelor Spy” by Pepper Basham (July 1): Pepper Basham is back with the fifth book in the Fredrick & Grace Mystery series, which is set in 1915 England at the beginning of World War I. Havensbrooke Hall, the estate of Lord Astley, has been converted into a convalescent hospital for wounded soldiers, and Lady Grace manages the facility while Fredrick is away at the war front. Stephen Blake is dispatched to investigate the rumors of a German spy hiding among the recovering officers following the disappearance of precious items and suspicious activities within the house. Together, Blake and Grace must navigate mistaken identities, a comedy of errors, and a kidnapping to root out the criminals before time runs out. The skillful blend of high-stakes WWI espionage and lighthearted historical romance makes it a captivating read for series fans and newcomers alike.
“The Romance Revival” by Christina Lauren (July 14): This novel follows Emery Finch, a brilliant scientist obsessed with her research, which has pushed her marriage to Luca to a breaking point. When a tragic accident takes Luca, Emery breaks every rule to bring him back, but he has no memory of their life together. The New York bestselling authors of “The Unhoneymooners” return with a story about love and second chances as Emery attempts to “do over” their relationship. It’s different from the duo’s traditional rom-coms but unique for its genre-bending medical thriller and refreshing take on the second-chance romance trope.
“Sea of Charms” by Sarah Beth Durst (July 28): Marin lives a solitary life as a supply runner with her own boat that she sails from island to island with her only companion, Perri, a sea serpent. One day, when she sails to Alyssium, she discovers the city is on fire because of a revolution, and the empire has fallen. Marin begins transporting refugees, and among one of them is Dax, a composer who refuses to leave behind his instruments. The acclaimed author of “The Spellshop” returns with a delightful cozy fantasy, which is the third book in the series. Its cottage core vibes and immersive world-building make it a perfect, comforting and low-stakes read.
“Adversary to the Villain” by Hannah Nicole Maehrer (Aug. 4): The upcoming fourth book in the “Assistant and the Villain” series by #1 New York Times bestselling author is a cozy fantasy romantic comedy that follows the chaotic and romantic adventures of Evie Sage and her boss, a notorious villain. As a dangerous prophecy threatens the magic of Rennedawn, Evie finds herself leaning into her “villain era” while her boss begins to act more like the hero of a completely different story. She must navigate professional boundaries as she tries to save the kingdom's magic before becoming its greatest threat herself. This story blends cozy vibes with high-stakes adventures while also keeping it humorous with the witty banter between the two main characters.
“The Unknown” by Riley Sager (Aug. 4): Five women disappeared from a remote island in Vermont in 1926, and now, 100 years later, it's happening again. Marin Keane, a struggling actress, lands a lead role in a major motion picture about the unsolved mystery of New Avalon, an island in Vermont. The role requires her and her castmates, including legendary actress Violet Wright and white-hot director Ronan Peters, to take a week-long research trip to the island, but a sudden health emergency leaves the crew stranded. Strange symbols appear, and members of the film team begin disappearing exactly like the women a century ago. Marin must use the recovered diary left by one of the women who vanished from 1926 to survive the island's repeating history. With the plot centered on the movie crew filming on the island and its creepy, atmospheric setting, the story blends Hollywood drama and genuine horror.