📚 What to Read in August 2025: New Book Releases To Add to Your TBR
- dessimalakov
- 4 days ago
- 10 min read
August is bringing the heat—and not just outside. This month’s new releases are stacked with highly anticipated finales, powerful debuts, and familiar names venturing into bold new territory. Whether you’re craving epic romantasy (The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk), a juicy psychological thriller (We Are All Guilty Here), or a cozy post-apocalyptic noodle shop tale (Automatic Noodle), there’s something here for every kind of reader.
Below, I’ve rounded up the must-read August 2025 books — with blurbs for each to help you decide what to add to your TBR (spoiler: it’ll be a lot).
August 2025 book releases
August 5th
The Fallen & the Kiss of Dusk
by Carissa Broadbent
After Mische sacrificed everything to restore light to her world, she has vanished—leaving Asar imprisoned by gods and consumed with grief and vengeance. Offered a final chance to reunite with her, Asar must journey through mortal and immortal realms to claim the power of the death god and ascend to divinity. Side by side with allies and enemies, he and Mische face betrayal, redemption, and impossible stakes in a world teetering on the brink of war. As the underworld itself begins to unravel, they’ll have to decide: how much will they pay for love—and can even divine power mend a broken world?
An emotionally charged, sweeping romantasy finale perfect for fans of celestial intrigue, blood magic, and lovers willing to defy death itself.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Well, Actually
by Mazey Eddings
Eva Kitt never imagined her journalism career would revolve around eating lukewarm hot dogs while interviewing B‑list celebs on a viral show called Sausage Talk. When she publicly calls out a college ex on-air—and sparks a social media firestorm—it’s none other than influencer Rylie Cooper who sweeps in: he’ll date her on camera to prove he’s changed. It’s meant to be a one-time PR stunt—but as rehearsed chemistry turns real, Eva’s forced to reckon with career ambitions, public scrutiny, and questions about forgiveness.
Well, Actually is a witty, heartfelt second-chance rom‑com about viral infamy, emotional growth, and the surprising second chances that hit when you least expect it.
Genre: Romance
The Locked Ward
by Sarah Pekkanen
When glamorous Georgia Cartwright is accused of murdering her biological sister, she’s confined to a maximum-security psychiatric ward reserved for violent offenders—her pleas echoing through its isolating corridors: “I didn’t do it. You’ve got to get me out of here.” Enter Amanda, the twin sister Georgia never knew she had, now the only bridge between Georgia and justice. Torn between skepticism and loyalty, Amanda steps into a world of suffocating family wealth, twisted motives, and chilling psychiatric settings. With every unsettling conversation and diagonal glance, the lines between sanity, guilt, and deception blur.
The Locked Ward is a taut psychological thriller about sisterhood under suspicion, alt‑reality inside institutional walls, and how far someone might go to uncover the truth.
Genre: Thriller
House of the Beast
by Michelle Wong
Alma was born a bastard and raised in secrecy—until her mother’s desperate plea leads her back to the noble House Avera, where her father rules as vessel to the Dread Beast, a deity of death. In exchange for medicine, she sacrifices her own arm in a binding ritual—and awakens marked by a haunting bond with a monster who appears as a mesmerizing, starlit prince. Banished within her own lineage, Alma vows revenge—and with the enigmatic Beast at her side, she hones her power, navigates deadly political rituals, and plots a rebellion against the aristocracy that betrayed her.
Drenched in gothic atmosphere, moral ambiguity, and visceral sacrifice, House of the Beast is a lush debut marrying eldritch romance, divine intrigue, and a heroine forged in blood and vengeance. Every illustration and shadowed ritual deepens Alma’s world—and deepens the ache of what she’s lost and what she stands to conquer.
Genre: Fantasy
People Like Us
by Jason Mott
After the national acclaim of Hell of a Book, Jason Mott returns with a surreal journey that follows two Black writers at different stages of fame. One embarks on an international literary tour celebrated for success—only to find time slipping, sea monsters lurking, and reality bending in unexpected ways. The other reckons with loss and legacy during a chilling visit to a U.S. school after a tragic shooting. As their separate paths intertwine with absurdist humor, dreamlike encounters, and haunted memories, they’re forced to confront grief, gun violence, and the universal search for belonging.
Simultaneously poignant and wildly imaginative, People Like Us tackles weighty truths with raw emotion and uncanny wit—anchored by characters who feel achingly real in a world that increasingly doesn’t.
Genre: Literary Fiction
Automatic Noodle
by Annalee Newitz
In a near‑future San Francisco rebuilding after devastating war, a crew of decommissioned service robots unexpectedly awaken—and decide to follow their only true skill: making perfect hand‑pulled noodles. They open a ghost‑kitchen noodle shop that quickly wins hearts…until anti‑robot dissent and a wave of targeted one‑star reviews threaten their dream. To survive, these bots must rally the community they serve—and prove that compassion, shared meals, and unexpected friendship can flourish even when the world seems turned upside down.
Cozy, hopeful, and filled with quirky charm, Automatic Noodle blends feel‑good hopepunk with post‑apocalyptic recovery—a short scoop of sunshine, building connection one bowl at a time.
Genre: Sci-Fi
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Bright, bubbly Evie Sage has officially leveled up—she’s now the “Accomplice” to the kingdom’s most infamous Villain, Trystan. Between managing magical mayhem, dodging assassination plots in the break room, and navigating a suspicious amount of frogs wearing crowns, Evie must balance office drama and near-catastrophe at every turn. And that walk‑in crush on her sharp‑jawed boss? It’s more than just a rogue spark—it might be fate rooted in prophecy.
With laugh‑out‑loud workplace comedy, candlelit enemies‑to‑lovers heat, and a talking frog who’s maybe not just a frog, Accomplice to the Villain delivers rom‑com meets high‑stakes magically twisted fairy tale—perfect for fans of Assistant to the Villain and Apprentice to the Villain finishing the trilogy.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
August 12th
We Are All Guilty Here
by Karin Slaughter
When two teenage girls vanish during the town’s Fourth of July fireworks, North Falls erupts. Deputy Chief Emmy Clifton feels the weight of guilt—she turned away when one of the girls reached out for help, and now bringing them home becomes a deeply personal mission. As Emmy navigates community secrets, familial pressure, and hot southern guilt, she’s joined by a determined FBI criminal psychologist and her own fractured family legacy. With every false lead and hidden truth, Emmy learns that in North Falls, everyone carries a piece of blame.
A masterclass in small-town suspense, We Are All Guilty Here delivers emotional complexity, brutal twists, and a heroine forged in regret and resolve. Prepare for a mystery that stays with you long after the last page.
Genre: Thriller
For the Record
by Emma Lord
Once music’s most infamous rivals, pop icon Mackenzie Waters and rock star Sam Blaze reigned over rival stages—and sizzled behind the scenes. After decades of broken chords, solo flops, and personal reinvention (Sam’s raising a son he never knew, Mackenzie’s relearning to sing under a pseudonym post-surgery), their record label throws them back together for one final comeback album. As they revisit shared history and old animosity, collaboration reawakens buried chemistry—and secrets emerge that could derail everything.
For the Record is a witty, emotionally rich second-chance romance set against the rhythm of reinvention and redemption.
Genre: Romance
Loved One
by Aisha Muharrar
When indie musician Gabe dies unexpectedly at 29, his first love and lifelong friend Julia is left reeling. Determined to piece together his life—and honor his memory—she sets off on a globe-spanning mission to retrieve items he scattered across cities she once shared with him. Along the way, she encounters Elizabeth, Gabe’s most recent partner, and the woman holding his most treasured keepsake. As they circle each other through grief, memory, and conflicting truths about the man they both loved, Julia and Elizabeth must decide: can their shared sorrow bridge the gap between them—or only widen it?
Moving, emotionally intricate, and subtly humorous, Loved One is a quietly powerful debut about friendship, identity, and the fragile threads that survive loss. Julia’s journey through loss feels lived-in, her voice authentic, and the landscapes of Los Angeles, London, Barcelona, and memory woven with thoughtful detail.
Genre: Literary Fiction
I Know How This Ends
by Holly Smale
Margot Wayward’s life is spiraling: a decade-long relationship collapsed, her career derailed, and her dating record packed with disasters. Between Instagram weather updates and cringing Tinder backfires, she never expected her life to look like her worst-case scenario . . . until she starts seeing the future. Literally.
First she glimpses Henry, a single dad she’s never met—and then he shows up exactly as she saw. Soon Margot realizes every vision pans out, no matter what she tries to change. Now faced with living in advance, she has to decide: should she trust fate—or fight it?
Sweet, witty, and just a little bit magical, I Know How This Ends explores heartbreak, destiny, and the messiness of new beginnings—reminding us that some endings can't be avoided, but you can still choose how to live.
Genre: Romance
August 19th
Hemlock & Silver
by T. Kingfisher
Anja is no ordinary healer—she consumes poison daily in her quest to save those deemed beyond cure. When King summons her to investigate what’s slowly killing Princess Snow, she plunges into a palace mystery tangled in magic and mirrors. From desert sands to hidden realms, Anja races against time, aided by a stoic bodyguard and even a talking cat named Grayling.
Filled with darkly imaginative world‑building and dry wit, Hemlock & Silver is a daring Snow White retelling elevated by grit, compassion, and a heroine who refuses to stay powerless
Genre: Fantasy
Love Arranged
by Lauren Asher
Fresh off the dramatic finale of the Lakefront Billionaires trilogy, Love Arranged pairs Lorenzo Vittori with Lily Muñoz in a public-facing fake relationship with a ticking clock. Lily agrees to date Lorenzo in order to protect her business from political fallout—and what starts as a calculated arrangement soon reveals buried history, unresolved feelings, and unexpected chemistry. But when their personal and professional worlds collide, faking it in public may be easier than pretending it in private.
Witty, heartfelt, and full of slow‑burn tension, Love Arranged explores whether two people with a complicated past can find a real future—and whether genuine love can bloom in a carefully constructed lie.
Genre: Romance
When the Cranes Fly South
by Lisa Ridzén
Bo is running out of time—and confronting more than just his own mortality. As he faces a stubborn son who wants to take his beloved elkhound and push him into assisted living, Bo finds unexpected companionship in the home care nurse who visits him daily. Their quiet moments spark reflections on aging, regret, and the quiet, unspoken love that lingers between family members. With the changing seasons of his small Swedish home mirroring his inner landscape, Bo embarks on a tender journey toward reconciliation—where dogs, memory, and fragile connections hold the power to heal what time has worn down.
A deeply moving debut honored in Sweden and spreading word-of-mouth joy across borders, When the Cranes Fly Southis a meditation on grief, caregiving, and what we leave behind when we lose someone—or ourselves.
Genre: Literary Fiction
The Dragon Wakes with Thunder
by K. X. Song
Hai Meilin earned her legend on the battlefield—but heroism didn’t earn her freedom. Jailed upon her return for wielding a sword as a woman, Meilin now finds herself trapped not by chains, but by expectations. Beyond the palace walls, whispers of her courage ignite rebellions; to the south, a former enemy prince—now captive—beseeches her aid to unify fractured kingdoms; back home, her first love and commander Liu Sky fights for her side.
But Meilin's soul is bound by a more insistent force: Qinglong, the sea dragon whose power saved her—and now demands his due. Haunted by a prophecy and legacy shrouded in magic and blood, Meilin must choose whether to follow mortal ambitions or the primal, dangerous call of the spirits within.
With soaring political intrigue, wuxia‑inspired magic, and a heroine tested by war—and by her own power—The Dragon Wakes with Thunder strikes with mythic force and emotional resonance.
Genre: Fantasy Romance
August 26th
Katabasis
by R. F. Kuang
Fenny is riding high—she’s landed her dream directing break on a hit TV show and even enjoyed the best weekend of her life. That is, until she steps onto set and discovers she’s been replaced by Jude. But wait—Jude looks uncannily like Sam, the man who swept her off her feet. Alice Law has sacrificed everything to become one of the top minds in analytic magick—her pride, her health, even her relationships. Now her greatest ambition is endangered: her mentor, Professor Grimes, has died in a magical accident—and may be trapped in Hell. Determined to secure her future, Alice descends into the underworld to retrieve his soul, only to find her academic rival, Peter Murdoch, already on the same mission.
Forced into uneasy alliance, the two navigate Inferno-like trials, hostile spirits, and each other’s fragile trust. As rivalries shift and revelations surface, they discover that Hell isn’t just metaphor—it’s the reflection of their deepest fears.
Equal parts dark academia and psychological fantasy, Katabasis fuses gritty emotional insight, Dante-inspired underworld architecture, and the complex dance of enemies who may become allies—or something more.
Genre: Fantasy
Forget Me Not
by Stacy Willingham
Twenty-two years ago, Claire Campbell’s older sister vanished without trace—until her blood turned up in a car and the case was abruptly closed. Now a driven investigative journalist, Claire returns to the South Carolina coast at her father’s request and takes a temp job at Galloway Farm, the vineyard where her sister last found joy. But an old diary buried in the estate’s archives stirs memories and unearthed crimes that mirror Natalie’s unsolved disappearance. Haunted by nostalgia and obsession, Claire soon realizes Galloway isn’t the refuge she hoped—and the past may be hiding more than sorrow.
Forget Me Not is a simmering Southern thriller about buried trauma, obsessive secrets, and a sister’s quest for truth that refuses to stay buried.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
The Book of Lost Hours
by Hayley Gelfuso
Imagine a library that preserves the memories of the dead, accessible only by magical watches—and targeted by forces bent on rewriting history. Eleven-year-old Lisavet Levy finds herself trapped in this mystical space in 1938, surrounded by memory-laced books and specters while her father remains missing. Decades later, in 1965, Amelia Duquesne—haunted by her American spy uncle’s disappearance—is drawn into the same realm when the CIA asks her to help recover a crucial memory book. As timelines intertwine and truths blur, both women discover that memory isn’t just a record—it’s resistance.
Rich in historical detail, lyrical wonder, and emotional resonance, The Book of Lost Hours is a mesmerizing debut about the power of remembrance, the fragility of truth, and how stories keep us alive across time.
Genre: Fantasy, Romance
august 2025 book releases
If you enjoyed exploring this list of upcoming book releases, I would love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to share your comments, recommendations, or any books you are eagerly anticipating.
Disclaimer: I have added an affiliate link for your convenience so you can directly purchase the book if you are intrigued. This also means that I will receive small commission. This does not affect inclusion in my reviews or the overall rating of the book.
