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We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
The morally gray, villainous characters in these stories are sure to find their way into readers’ hearts.
This first volume in a print edition of a popular, long-running webcomic will become a favorite for fans of Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper and Jasmine Walls’s Brooms.
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Onyx Storm (Standard Edition)
While Yarros’s legion of fans will still thrill over each new development for Violet and Xaden, this entry is not as swoony as the first two books in the “Empyrean” series, and the precipitous cliffhanger ending wears thin.
YA author Baker (The Blood Orchid) writes an adult debut that frightens to the bone, deftly illustrating trauma and paranoia in aching prose and with perfectly timed grim humor. Those who enjoyed Monika Kim’s The Eyes Are the Best Part and fans of Erika T. Wurth, Gretchen Felker-Martin, and Stephen Graham Jones won’t want to miss it.
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Fundamentally
While promoted as dark humor, Younis’s debut sometimes falls short in this regard, relying instead on juvenile jokes that can undermine the seriousness of Nadia’s mission and the trauma that the ISIS brides experience.
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Two Seconds Too Late
The second entry in Pettrey’s suspense/Christian fiction “Jeopardy Falls” series, after One Wrong Move, does not disappoint. The action keeps readers on their toes, while the characters’ deep soul searching makes for a compelling read. Fans of Patricia Bradley and Lynette Eason will enjoy.
Mary’s story is a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head as she takes charge of her own life and rescues everyone with the help of her friends. Highly recommended for readers caught up in the recent trend of feminist retellings of well-known tales.
Another winner from Jimenez. Readers won’t be able to put down this laugh-out-loud funny romance and will be cheering for Samantha and Xavier even when the chips are stacked against them.
One needn’t have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this installment, but don’t be surprised if readers want to go back and see what they missed. Come for the historical Parisian setting and mystery, stay for the food and wine.
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood is the top holds title of the week. LibraryReads and Library Journal offer read-alikes for patrons waiting to read this buzziest book.
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Homegrown Magic
Full of flirty dialogue, strong conflict, and a heartwarming love story, this book feels like drinking a warm cup of tea and is perfect for fans of cozy queer romantasy.
The slow burn of the sapphic romance and the inch-by-inch growth of a relationship from contempt to reliance to love make this a story to savor, while the epic walking tour of the dead empire blends ancient history with fantasy in ways that will remind readers of Guy Gavriel Kay’s epic historical fantasy. Highly recommended for epic romantasy and historical fantasy fans who love a slow burn and the bitterest of bittersweet endings.
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The Book That Held Her Heart
Lawrence offers the final gut-wrenching book in his “Library Trilogy” (after The Book That Broke the World) with a storyline about the beginning of the Holocaust driving home the power of books to hold the past, present, and future.
Mary’s story is a dangerous and delightful adventure that turns the bigotry and misogyny of Victorian England on its head as she takes charge of her own life and rescues everyone with the help of her friends. Murphy’s (Women Up to No Good) latest is highly recommended for readers caught up in the recent trend of feminist retellings of well-known tales.
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The Tainted Khan
Matharu’s sequel to Dragon Rider is filled with action, intrigue, and commitment to family, friends, and land.
This Holmes and Watson–like investigative duo are compelling to follow, and the truly epic fantasy world where the series is set, with its falling empire, corrupt politics, and magic pharmacopeia engineered from monster blood, takes the familiarity of mystery and creates a truly fantastic fever-dream of a world and a story.
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Forged for Destiny
This engaging high fantasy from Knighton (The Executioner’s Blade) offers an inventive take on the classic chosen-one trope while weaving in themes of loyalty, loss, and the rebellious power of books and knowledge. Perfect for fans of Raymond E. Feist.
This is a rare anthology in which every story shines. A must have for anyone who loves speculative fiction.
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Notes from a Regicide
Fellman (The Two Doctors Górski) writes a literary sci-fi novel about trans identity that will appeal to fans of Charlie Jane Anders or Izzy Wasserstein’s These Fragile Graces, This Fugitive Heart and those who were fascinated with the play on histories and identities in T. Kingfisher’s “Sworn Soldier” series.
For listeners seeking a page-to-screen crime novel about revenge and redemption, as well as for fans of Henry Wise and James Wade.
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Rental House
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking an emotionally intense drama about immigrant identity, class, and family dyamics. Recommended for fans of Ann Napolitano, Karin Lin-Greenberg, and Terah Shelton Harris.
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The Wrong Lady Meets Lord Right
This audio will appeal to listeners seeking a chaste Regency rom-com about love in disguise. Recommended for fans of Martha Waters, Sophie Irwin, and Virginia Heath.
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The Swarm
Marino’s unsettling tale should attract fans of Ezekiel Boone’s “Hatching” series and other stories where horror arrives on millions of legs.
An unmissable book that will inspire readers of all ages to stand up for vulnerable and mistreated women around the world.
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Love To Hate You
Playing with the plot of You’ve Got Mail, plus a touch of Mystic Pizza and a whole lot of romance tropes, Adair (You’ve Got Male) returns with an engaging beach read that takes opposites-attract to a whole new level.
Another winner from Jimenez (Just for the Summer). Readers won’t be able to put down this laugh-out-loud funny romance and will be cheering for Samantha and Xavier even when the chips are stacked against them. A must-have for all public libraries.
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Drop Dead
Fans of contemporary romances will enjoy this quirky office love story that will leave them wishing they had the moxie (and mansion) of the unforgettable Dot.
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Crash Landing
Fans of enemies-to-lovers, second-chance romance, and extreme forced-proximity will love McQuaid’s debut.
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Thrill Ride
Ratcliffe writes the romance that theme park fans have been waiting for, and it doesn’t disappoint.
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The Love Haters
This isn’t Center’s (The Rom-Commers) strongest work to date, but fans of the bestselling author will still likely enjoy the story.
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The Geographer’s Map to Romance
This series isn’t as strongly plotted as Holton’s “Dangerous Damsels” trilogy, but her many fans will delight in the charm-filled escapade.
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My Best Friend’s Honeymoon
Readers looking for nonbinary main characters, sapphic friends-to-lovers romance, and sexy vacation novels will appreciate this heartfelt exploration of what it means to fall in love with someone you have known almost your entire life.
Readers will be turning pages long into the night, captivated by this silly, enchanting, somewhat screwball romp, a sequel to Old Flames and New Fortunes.
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The Lady Makes Her Mark
Craig adds another Miss to her “Goode’s Guide to Misconduct” series (after The Lady Plays with Fire), in which readers finally learn more about the magazine’s mysterious artist. Hand to fans of Amalie Howard and Madeline Hunter.
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Passion Project
A skillful debut that balances emotional depth with moments of joy and discovery. Ideal for readers who appreciate romance novels that delve deeper into personal growth and healing. Sperry establishes herself as a promising voice in contemporary romance with this touching exploration of love after loss.
The clever, witty, and powerful women at the heart of this story make for a promising start to an adventurous new series from Matthews (“Belles of London” novels). The next book can’t come soon enough.
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Tell Me How You Really Feel
Cayouette’s (One Last Shot) sophomore novel offers a love story and a thoughtful exploration of personal and societal challenges.
Readers will relish the rewarding culmination of all the interconnected “Primas of Power” storylines in this sensational final installment (after A Lot Like Adiós).
Gagnon’s (Love You, Mean It) smart, fast-paced romance successfully blends elements of science fiction and relationship fiction to create a unique and thoughtful love story.
A relentless and beautifully balanced romantasy/legal thriller, offering blood and hope in equal measures. Recommended for fans of any of the genres it borrows from.
Fans will be clamoring for the series’ next book. A grimmer tone and lots of heat will appeal to fans of the morally gray protagonists of Rebecca Yarros and Sarah J. Maas.
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The Wind Weaver
Johnson’s (Bad Luck Charm) series launch is an action-packed romantasy with an engaging plot but a disappointing romance.
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A Fate Forged in Fire
While the novel’s premise and many beloved tropes will draw romantasy readers in and keep them till the end, the worldbuilding and character development are lacking.
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The Serpent Called Mercy
Readers looking for a clever and determined fantasy heroine motivated by platonic devotion will find much to enjoy in Lau’s debut.
YA author Griffin (Other Words for Smoke) makes her adult debut with a queer take on Little Shop of Horrors that offers a unique narrator, a celebration of dying malls, and all the facets of love and desire. Fans of John Wiswell’s Someone You Can Build a Nest In should pick this up.
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Don’t Sleep with the Dead
Vo once again vividly brings to life the world of Jazz Age New York City, intertwined with magic, devils, and ghosts of the past.
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House of Blight
The first in Martineau’s (Shadows of the Lost) gothic fantasy duology is filled with unique magic, romance, and intrigue. Strong characters, rich worldbuilding, and mounting tension make this a delightful read.
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Where the Axe Is Buried
Thought-provoking in the extreme, Nayler’s (The Tusks of Extinction) sci-fi cyberthriller will trap fans of technothrillers in its web.
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A Touch of Shadows
Originally self-published by Thorne (The Water Witch) and now picked up by a Big Five publisher, this steamy romantasy series starter is perfect for fans of slow-building and mysterious magic and will leave readers hungry for the next installment.
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The Dream Hotel
A beautifully executed, plot-driven, yet cerebral meditation on AI. Perfect for those looking for something to read while awaiting the forthcoming film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun.
A splendid and compelling collection that covers different aspects of the human condition with humor and nuance.
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See Friendship
A smart and rueful debut that offers a sly critique of the podcast industry and how some shows treat real humans as characters and their pain and insight as mere content. Recommended for readers of Patricia Lockwood and Lauren Oyler.
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The Influencers
A compelling read, rather like watching a train wreck. Recommend to fans of the Kardashians and novels like Kevin Wilson’s The Family Fang.
This well-crafted, mysterious novel with some dystopian twists is a worthwhile read. Fans of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale will devour it.
Nobel Prize winner Gurnah (emeritus, English and postcolonial literatures, Univ. of Kent; Afterlives) is a captivating, enthralling storyteller whose characters are vibrant and sympathetic. The pages fly by quickly in his wonderful new novel.
A raw, honest look at the lives we construct and the pieces of ourselves we leave behind. This powerful debut is sure to resonate with readers who like complex family stories.
Hamdan’s compelling debut will provoke thoughtful discussion and is recommended for readers who enjoyed James McBride’s The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store or Etaf Rum’s Evil Eye.
Insightful, bold, and provocative. An easy read but an unpredictable story that will provide ample material for book group discussions. Ichikawa’s excellent work is wholly relatable for anyone who has ever felt out of place in society and longed to fit in.
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The World’s Fair Quilt
Fans of the series will love this entry, which can be read on its own but will build interest in the preceding “Elm Creek Quilts” books.
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Everybody Says It’s Everything
This thought-provoking, captivating story is a must-read for people interested in the complexities of family dynamics, cultural identity, and the human spirit.
Morrison’s unflinching depictions imbue her characters with a richness and complexity that directs readers to regard them as worthy of attention and love. Even in the most painful scenes, she compels readers not to look away. An important text for generating discussion on race, culture, and U.S. society, this is an essential work for public, high school, and academic libraries.
Zink (Avalon) cleverly and expertly combines hilarious scenes at the awards ceremony and the seven-course dinner with razor-sharp observations on culture, Americans in Europe, literature in the Middle East, sexuality, and the heavy hand of history.
Kirshenbaum invites readers to consider who they are without their memories and how we make decisions about prolonging life. An important novel about dementia, highly recommended for all libraries.
One needn’t have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this installment, but don’t be surprised if readers want to go back and see what they missed. Come for the historical Parisian setting and mystery, stay for the food and wine.
Smith’s novel is a quiet triumph. Each small unfolding supports the next, characters blossom off the page, and the pitch-perfect pacing is as pleasurable as the descriptive detail.
Fans of the brilliant detective noir of James Ellroy and Jo Nesbø are in for a treat with the latest Jack Taylor novel.
After dazzling readers with 2024’s The Main Character, Goldis once again deftly tips her literary cap to the Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie, in another cleverly constructed puzzler that brings all the delights of classic Golden Age mysteries into the 21st century.
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Glory Daze
In book two of this entertaining series, the characters continue to develop in realistic and meaningful ways, while aging, friendship, and familial expectations are explored. Recommended for readers who enjoyed The Townsend Family Recipe for Disaster by Shauna Robinson, It’s Elementary by Elise Bryant, or Murder Is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns.
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Saltwater
The tension in this atmospheric novel builds like a drumbeat as Hays explores the secrets that lie within a privileged family and keeps readers guessing from one twist to the next. For fans of Lucy Foley and Lucinda Berry.
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Glory Be
Readers who enjoyed Laurien Berenson’s “Senior Sleuth” mysteries or The Sunset Years of Agnes Sharp by Leonie Swann will fall in love with Glory. She is a refreshing protagonist: a brash, vocal force of nature who is fiercely loyal and brave when it comes to those she holds dear.
PREMIUM
Booked for Revenge
The second (after Murder Marks the Page) in a series that spins off Smith’s “Daisy’s Tea Garden” mysteries, this novel features a strong cast of characters, romance, and an amateur sleuth still trying to find her role in life and overcome her background of loss. Cozy readers will enjoy this bookstore/tea shop scenario, even if they haven’t read Smith’s earlier books.
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Desperate Deadly Widows
An ’80s-homage noir that readers of gritty mysteries will enjoy. Each character is written by a different author, but the styles blend seamlessly so that it feels like the work of one person. Although most audiences will want to read the installments in order, this fun, enjoyable sequel can also be read as a stand-alone.
PREMIUM
The Poet’s Game: A Spy in Moscow
Vidich’s latest superb spy thriller (after Beirut Station) owes more to Charles McCarry than John le Carré, but the message is the same: spies pay for their loyalty in their inability to trust anyone else’s.
Hall’s Indian detective seems an amalgam of Hercule Poirot and Sherlock Holmes. His sixth adventure (following The Case of the Reincarnated Client) will please fans of Alexander McCall Smith.
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What He Left Behind
Bradley’s latest is a good pick for readers who enjoy in small-town police procedurals. Fans of dual-timeline narratives might also enjoy.
PREMIUM
The Sufi Storyteller
Mansab won several awards for her first novel, This House of Clay and Water, published by Penguin India and later released in audio format by Blackstone. Though its pacing leaves something to be desired, libraries with a strong international mystery readership may want to give Mansab’s new mystery a try.
PREMIUM
Novel Threat
Readers who like their thrills with a side of romance and fans of Ally Carter should add this to their reading list.
Fans of mystery short stories will want to pick up this collection by the finest British crime writers today. The stories are original and a fine salute to Brett and his work.
PREMIUM
Coram House
Seybolt’s first effort is a solid mystery that fans of atmospheric thrillers may enjoy. Recommended mainly for larger public library collections.
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The Missing Half
Perfect for readers of Ashley Winstead and Nita Prose, this is a hard book to put down; expect to miss sleep looking for the Mishawaka girls.
An outstanding new installment (following The Detective Up Late) in the award-winning police procedural series featuring lone wolf Sean Duffy and set during the Troubles, from the bestselling author of The Chain.
The twists of the story keep coming, and the thread of superhero comics and the Dark Maestro brings readers along on a journey that comic book fans will appreciate.
PREMIUM
Nowhere
Gunn knows how to generate tension, and this trip into the woods should enchant fans of Stephen King’s The Outsider as well as readers of supernatural thrillers.
The secrets under Lake Argen are chilling, the hellhounds and eldritch horrors are adorable, and the romance goes from fated to bitter to sweet in an epic climax. Highly recommended.
Jones (I Was A Teenage Slasher) holds up past atrocities and their impact into the future. Highly recommended for those who enjoy historical horror with family history, such as Andy Davidson’s The Hollow Kind, or for those who loved the anthology Never Whistle at Night.
PREMIUM
The Haunting of Room 904
A ghost story cleverly blended with a mystery, ideal for those who appreciate genre-blended horror and fans of books such as Shutter by Ramona Emerson.
Space horror at its most entertaining. Fans of Caitlin Starling and Jo Kaplan will love the atmospheric chills and visceral horrors of one of literature’s creepiest horror settings.
Demchuk (Red X) and debut author Clark have crafted a grim tale of Victorian London with appeal to readers of classic horror retold from new perspectives, such as Lucy Undying by Kiersten White and Eynhallow by Tim McGregor.
PREMIUM
The Staircase in the Woods
Wendig’s (Black River Orchard) latest is perfect for fans of Black Mouth by Ronald Malfi and The Dissonance by Shaun Hamill.
Valéry is the first to acknowledge that M. Teste is not fit company for everyone, but for those seekers eager to peer through forms toward essences, this beguiling, deceptively slim volume will reward multiple readings.
PREMIUM
The Story of a Single Woman
Uno’s own remarkable biography provides ample dramatic incident, but it is the reticent poise and reflective musings of the mature author, well conveyed in Copeland’s graceful 1992 translation, that elevate her narrative beyond mere confessional.
PREMIUM
The Adventures of Lady Egeria
Anticipating grisly Jacobean theatrics and the gothic novel, this remarkable recovery from the rhetorically rowdy Renaissance is a marvelously heady concoction for adventuresome ink drinkers.
Once again Abdullah deftly conjures magic. The middle book in Abdullah’s adventure is no less thrilling or expansively conceived than the first.
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