12 books hitting shelves in January 2026
I know, I know, we’re already nearly two weeks into 2026 but I got knocked out by a nasty cold to add to the trauma of going back to work after 10 days off over the holidays so new releases were not quite at the top of my list. But today is the day.
With these monthly round ups of upcoming releases, I usually focus on the books that are the top of my wishlist. This year I’m going to try and be a bit more helpful and give you as many upcoming releases I find that I think our lovely readers - and my own personal most anticipated books - will be excited for this year. I’m going for overall new books vibes in 2026.
I’m starting us off with 12 books hitting shelves in January that I think are high on people’s wishlists.
All of the release dates are UK release dates and are correct at the time of writing so please don’t hold me to gospel as the world of publishing is a fickle beast.
‘A War of Wyverns’ by SF Williamson (1st)
Rebellion happens in the shadows
Vivien Featherswallow has translated a secret language of dragons – sparking an all-out civil war, with dragons and humans fighting on both sides, in the process.
‘Graceless Heart’ by Isabel Ibanez (15th)
In 15th-century Volterra, sculptress Ravenna Maffei enters a competition hosted by a secretive, immortal family who offer an invaluable boon to the victor. Desperate to win so she can save her brother, Ravenna reveals a rare magical talent-a dangerous act in a city where magic is forbidden.
‘Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl’ by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone (15th)
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Julie Murphy and USA Today bestselling author Sierra Simone comes a brand-new college town raunch-com about a sexy single dad professor and a feisty law school grad turned nanny in this steamy tale of Academic Affairs…
She wants to be a good girl. He’s dying to teach her.
‘The Book of Blood and Roses’ by Annie Summerlee (15th)
In the mists of the Scottish highlands lies a university where vampires and humans alike live and study. But there is one student very different from the rest. Rebecca Charity. Vampire hunter.
Undercover at the university, Rebecca is searching for the mysterious Book of Blood and Roses, a lost compendium of ways to kill vampires. If she finds it, she’ll be one step closer to avenging her parents who were slain by vampires three years ago.
‘How to Lose a Goblin in 10 Days’ by Jessie Sylva (20th)
When a halfling, Pansy, and a goblin, Ren, each think they've inherited the same cottage, they make a bargain: they'll live in the house together and whoever is driven out first forfeits their ownership. Amidst forced proximity and cultural misunderstandings, the two begin to fall in love.
‘Half His Age’ by Jennette McCurdy (20th)
Waldo is ravenous. Horny. Blunt. Naive. Wise. Impulsive. Lonely. Angry. Hurting. Endlessly wanting. And the thing she wants most of all? Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher.
Mr Korgy, with the wife and the kid and the mortgage and the bills, with the dead dreams and the atrophied looks and the growing paunch. She doesn’t know why she wants him.
‘Catch Her If You Can’ by Tessa Bailey (20th)
#1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey is back with an all-new marriage of convenience, friends-to-lovers sports romance about a baseball catcher and the burlesque club owner he can’t get out of his head.
‘We Call Them Witches’ by India-Rose Bower (22nd)
Sara and her family must keep moving. Every few months, they’re discovered, and they have to pack up and get out quick. For the twins it’s all they’ve ever known, for Danny, Noah and Ma, it’s a reminder of all they’ve lost. For Sara, it’s just another day.
In yet another abandoned house, one they surround with Pagan wards – the only thing that protects them – Sara and her family think they might be safe, for a while at least.
‘The Elsewhere Express’ by Samantha Sotto Yambao (22nd)
Raya is a lost soul, going through the motions of life without a dream of her own.
One night, on her subway ride home, Raya’s thoughts wander too far. She wakes on the Elsewhere Express, a magical train that offers its passengers a sense of purpose, peace, and belonging. The journey is a chance for Raya to reimagine her life – but only if she finds her compartment before time runs out.
‘Night Rider’ by Sloane Fletcher (29th)
Hollywood starlet Nina Keller is searching for an escape. Arriving at Hunt Ranch after a terrifying assault, she only wants one thing: to rediscover who she is.
Maverick Hunt was never a part of that plan. But with his kind heart and unwavering patience, Nina can’t help but feel safe around the strong – and undeniably handsome – cowboy. And that is worth more than he could ever know.
‘Dragon Cursed’ by Elise Kova (29th)
Since the dragons emerged–along with the scourge that ravaged our lands and people–there’s only one human city that remains standing: Vinguard.
But the hellfire from above is nothing compared to the threat from within. For there is no worse fate than being dragon cursed. Slowly and excruciatingly, you’ll be transformed into a mindless beast who destroys everything–and everyone–you love.
‘We Who Have No Gods’ by Liza Anderson (29th)
Vic Wood’s ordinary life crumbles when her younger brother is accepted into the Acheron Order, a secret society of witches tasked with keeping the world of the dead at bay. While Henry inherited their absent mother’s magical abilities, Vic did not. So she is stunned when the Order’s mysterious leader invites her to join the other initiates at Avalon Castle, to prove his controversial hypothesis – that magic can be taught.
Of these, the ones that I’m most excited about are ‘A War of Wyverns’ and ‘Half His Age’ - two very different books, but both I’m hoping are going to be brilliant.
What are you most anticipated books of January?
