These are the 10 best new books that came out last month

Author: Holly Jackson | Genre: Thriller | Length: 400 pages

Arguably the most anticipated releases of the month, Not Quite Dead Yet is the first adult novel from Holly Jackson, the bestselling author of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. In this new thriller, a young woman is attacked on Halloween, resulting a serious head injury. The doctors say she’ll likely have a fatal aneurysm within a week, but she’s determined to unravel the mystery of who attacked her before her time runs out.

Despite only being out for a few weeks, this novel has quickly racked up more than 12,000 reviews on Goodreads, and around half of readers give it a resounding five stars. “This is, without a doubt, one of the smartest and most emotionally devastating concepts Holly Black has ever crafted,” says a Goodreads reviewer, noting the book shattered their heart. “Not Quite Dead Yet is a thriller that hurts — and I mean that in the best way possible.”

Author: Sarah MacLean | Genre: Contemporary fiction | Length: 400 pages

As a lifelong Rhode Islander, I love to see my tiny state being used as the backdrop in books, so you know I’ll be picking up These Summer Storms. The novel takes place on a private island off the coast of Rhode Island, where Alice Storm is attending her father’s funeral. However, what she doesn’t know is that the late patriarch set up a series of inheritance games for her and her siblings that they’ll have to complete to receive their slice of the family fortune.

While MacLean has historically written romance novels, many of her avid fans say this contemporary fiction book absolutely hit the mark: “What an enjoyable, unique, and extremely well-written story. I couldn’t put it down and read it all in one day,” says one Amazon reviewer. “It’s a story about an imperfect family, about familia competition, sibling jealously, individual angst and growth, and ultimately, love.”

Author: Ruth Ware | Genre: Thriller | Length: 400 pages

If you liked The Woman in Cabin 10 — which is slated to be released as a Netflix movie later this year — you’ll be happy to hear that the sequel came out in July. The Woman in Suite 11 follows familiar face Lo Blacklock as she attends the press opening of a luxury Swiss hotel, only to be swept into a thrilling mystery involving the hotel’s reclusive billionaire owner.

As you might expect from Ruth Ware, this novel is packed with unexpected twists and turns, and reviewers say the plot is complex and engaging. “The second half absolutely hooked me — packed with jaw-dropping twists and all the tension Ruth Ware is known for. In fact, I think this might be her strongest novel in years,” proclaims one Goodreads reviewer.

Author: Daniel Silva | Genre: Espionage thriller | Length: 416 pages

Who doesn’t love a good spy novel? Daniel Silva is back at it again with An Inside Job, which highlights the latest adventures of fan-favorite character Gabriel Allon. He’s been hired to restore one of the most important paintings in Venice, but as he starts the job, he discovers the body of a woman floating in a canal, pulling him into a perilous mystery.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Daniel Silva fans are absolutely eating up this novel, calling it “among Daniel’s finest works.” Many readers particularly enjoy that Allon is working alone in this story: “It’s fun to see him [solve mysteries] now without the vast resources of the Office,” notes a pleased Amazon reader. “Instead, he has his usual creative investigative self and a full cast of friends to help. Gabriel is full steam ahead as he solves a tragic murder, tracks down a lost priceless painting, and attempts to pull off one of the biggest and daring robberies of all time.”

Author: Beck Dorey-Stein | Genre: Literary fiction | Length: 368 pages

This novel was Reese Witherspoon’s Book Club pick for July, and the actress gives it a rave review: “Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein follows sisters Mia and Cricket as they navigate an impossible choice that will change everything. Think sisterhood, sacrifice, and the golden age of women’s soccer, all wrapped into one epic story.”

Reviewers say this new novel is a must-read for soccer fans and anyone who has a close bond with their sister: “As a soccer fan, I devoured this novel,” writes one Amazon shopper. “The wonderful writing and the appealing storyline made this book a page-turner. I just didn’t want it to end.”

Author: Kalie Cassidy | Genre: Fantasy romance | Length: 384 pages

I’m a sucker for a good fantasy romance, and this debut novel from Kalie Cassidy has been getting lots of buzz online. The story, which is described as “sensuous and lushly romantic,” is about a siren who’s hiding from those her hunt her kind and a king who needs her help to save his people.

Fantasy readers can’t get enough of this dark romance, calling it captivating and lyrical. “This book is dark in the most decadent way, brimming with longing, monstrous beauty, and the quiet ache of a love blooming in the shadows of survival,” explains one five-star Amazon review. “The romance was gorgeously slow-burn and emotionally rich, threaded with tension and a sense of fate. The blood bond trope, the high stakes, the brush of hands amid chaos — it was everything I want in a dark romantasy.”

Author: Shari Lapena | Genre: Thriller | Length: 352 pages

July was a particularly good month for thriller fans — here’s another page-turner with “fiendishly plotted twists and turns.” In the story, a wife disappears from her luxurious condo building, seemingly without a trace, and her husband rushes to find out what happened to her, including whether she ever left the building at all…

This book has only been out for a few days, but reviewers are already praising it as “binge-worthy” and “highly suspenseful.” “The suspense is off the charts. I was unsure of who or what to believe throughout the entire book,” explains a Goodreads reviewer, warning that you should “be prepared for some crazy twists and turns.”

Author: Loretta Rothschild | Genre: Literary fiction | Length: 330 pages

If you like raw, emotional stories, you won’t want to miss this one. Another novel from a debut author, Finding Grace is about a family whose lives are rocked by a shocking, violent event. I won’t say too much to avoiding spoiling anything, but you can rest assured this novel will pull at your heart strings.

Reviewers agree that this debut is a terrific first novel from the writer, calling it evocative and emotional. “The first two chapters of Finding Grace hit like a freight train with no brakes. Raw. Real. Gut-punching. I had to sit my coffee down and emotionally regroup. Twice,” says an Amazon reader. “From there, it’s a 300-page rollercoaster of turmoil, tension, and tough choices.”

Author: Adriana Trigiani | Genre: Contemporary romance | Length: 416 pages

Looking for a lighthearted beach read to close out the summer? The View From Lake Como might be just what you’re looking for. In the book, Jess Capodimonte Baratta, the overlooked daughter of a blue‑collar Italian‑American family, is newly divorced and living in her parents’ basement when tragedy strikes, exposing long‑buried family secrets. Reeling from the jarring revelations, she travels to Italy, where she aims to reclaim her creativity and build a life on her own terms — and meets a handsome and inspiring goldsmith named Angelo.

Readers praise this new novel as a “beautiful and uplifting read,” and many particularly resonate with Jess and her Italian American family. “It’s a beautiful, uplifting story full of travel, humor, real-life dilemmas, and so much Italian food that I went to sleep craving it every night,” explains a five-star Amazon reviewer. “She’s one of those rare authors who always leaves you feeling better by the end of the story.”

Author: Sangu Mandanna | Genre: Fantasy romance | Length: 352 pages

For a cute, cozy read, you’ll definitely want to pick up A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping the newest title from Sangu Mandanna, bestselling author of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. The new book is about Sera Swan, who used to be one of the most powerful witches in Britian — until she lost her magic. Now she runs an inn with her great-aunt Jasmine, and the story unfolds when a handsome (but frosty) magical historian shows up for a stay.

Most readers agree that this new novel is the literary equivalent of a warm hug, with many praising the sweet and whimsical plotline. “I adored every page of this book — the lush world, the quiet magic, the comforting vibes, and most of all, the characters,” gushes an Amazon reviewer. “Every single one felt deeply lovable and fully developed, like people I’d want to know in real life.”

Described as “The Crucible meets The Virgin Suicides,” this debut novel tells the story of five sisters in eighteenth-century England whose neighbors are convinced they’re witches who can turn into dogs. It was released on August 5, so you can pick it up now.

Coming out on August 12, We Are All Guilty Here is the start of a new thriller series from Karin Slaughter, the author of Pretty Girls. It takes place in a small town where everyone knows everyone, but when two teens go missing, the neighborhood’s secrets are brought to light.

The Society of Unknowable Objects is coming out on August 12, and it follows a group of people dedicated to protecting the world’s magical relics. However, they’re not the only ones on the hunt for a new artifact, which leads them on a perilous journey around the globe.

When the Cranes Fly South is coming out on August 19, and it’s already racking up “Book of the Year” awards. It’s about an elderly man who tries to mend his strained relationship with his son and make the most of the time he has left.

For fantasy readers, Katabasis is one of the most highly anticipated titles of the year, and it will be available on August 26. The dark academia story follows two graduate students who are forced to put aside their rivalry and journey to Hell to save their professor’s soul.