After the incredible success of her memoir, I’m Glad My Mom Died, former Nickelodeon child star, Jennette McCurdy brings us her first work of fiction - Half His Age - to start the year off with a bang. And it’s easily one of our most anticipated reads of 2026.

Seventeen-year-old Waldo is a creature of want. But what is at the top of her list, you might ask. It’s not the latest fashion trend or the boy in her class, it’s her creative writing teacher, Mr Korgy. An insightful commentary on teenage girlhood - the Britney Spears song ‘I’m Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman’ comes to mind - Waldo doesn’t know why she wants him, only that she will stop at nothing to do so. We’re really looking forward to seeing Jennette’s take on what could be some rather difficult subject matter.

My Husband’s Wife by Alice Feeney

Release date: January 20 (US) and January 27 (UK)

We can always rely on Alice Feeney to keep us on the edge of our seats. And with the adaptation of her bestselling novel, His & Hers, hitting Netflix this month, you might have found yourself wanting more. That’s where her latest release, My Husband’s Wife comes in.

After moving into Spyglass, an old seaside house with her husband, Eden gets back from a run only to discover that her key no longer fits in the lock and a woman, who looks uncannily similar to her, is opening the door. Her husband assures her that this stranger is, in fact, his wife. Yet, just six months earlier, Birdy inherits Spyglass and upon moving in, she finds herself drawn to an alluring clinic that claims to be able to predict the exact day each person will die, including Birdie. We can’t wait to see what twists and turns are in store with this.

Bookish Deal Alert: 3 Months of Audible for $0.99/Month

Audible's has brought back one of its best deals of last year, offering three months of its Premium Plus plan for just $0.99/month / £0.99 in the UK, which is a massive New Year treat for audiobook fans.

This offer is set to last until January 21 in the US, and January 29 in the UK, but if you're a big audiobook user it's a deal that's absolutely worth taking advantage of while it's available.

It's also worth noting that, after your first three months, the plan will auto-renew at a monthly cost. However, this is a great opportunity to give the service a test before commiting to it.

Dragon Cursed by Elise Kova

Release date: January 6

From the bestselling author of last year’s smash hit, Arcana Academy, Elise Kova returns with a new YA tale, Dragon Cursed. And, as you might be able to tell from the title, this could be the new January book to grab if you continue to be drawn to all things dragons.

After the dragons take over, only one human city remains, however, even if someone has survived until now, being Dragon Cursed is the worst fate possible and something that could happen to anyone at any time. Turning humans into mindless beasts who destroy everything and everyone that they love, as soon as someone turns eighteen, they are subject to a series of brutal tests to separate the Dragon Cursed from the dragon hunters. And that’s exactly where Isola finds herself. It’s also worth mentioning that this is the start of a new series from the author, one that we can’t wait to sink our teeth into, dragon-style.

Twelve Months (The Dresden Files, #18) by Jim Butcher

Release date: January 20 (UK) and January 27 (US)

If you’re not already familiar with the enigmatic wizard, Harry Dresden is back for its eighteenth outing this January. And the latest story drops us straight in at the deep end, following the events of the last book. After barely managing to save Chicago from being destroyed, it will take time for the city to begin to recover and rebuild. Yet, that’s something that Harry doesn’t have a lot of.

With Ghouls prowling the streets and killing innocent civilians, alongside his own brother dying, there’s also the small issue of Harry being promised to a vampire to help build a new alliance. Will he be able to save the city once more? There’s only one way to find out.

Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet

Release date: January 6 (US) and January 15 (UK)

If you’re looking for a fun and contemporary twist on a literary classic, Beth Is Dead by Katie Bernet reimagines Little Women, but with the intriguing angle that - as the title suggests - Beth March has been found dead after a New Year’s Eve party.

With plenty of suspects, from Amy’s flirtatious mentor and Meg’s manipulative best friend, to the surviving March sisters themselves, Jo, Meg and Amy must band together to work out who could have possibly murdered their beloved sister. Given that it is new year and we’ve been known to give the original Little Women story a reread at this time of year, January is the perfect time to pick this one up.

The Poet Empress by Shen Tao

Release date: January 20

With such a great line-up of fantasy series to get swept up into these days, we always appreciate a good standalone story, and that’s exactly what The Poet Empress is. With comparisons already being made to R.F. Kuang’s epic The Poppy War trilogy, this has quickly climbed to the top of our TBR (to be read) list for the start of 2026.

In a world where it is forbidden for women to learn and practice magic, and the once-great Azalea Dynasty is heading towards a civil war, Wei Yin knows the importance of words and poetry. Used correctly, words can be weapons and poetry can unlock an ancient magic. So, with nothing to lose, after being torn from her family to become a concubine to the cruel Prince Terren, her choices prove that the future can actually be rewritten. All she has to do is compose the perfect poem - one so powerful, it can kill any man, even the next emperor.

Inside Man: A Head Cases Novel by John McMahon

Release date: January 13

If you’re already a fan of Criminal Minds or the FBI franchise of shows, we have a feeling that John McMahon’s Head Cases books will be right up your street. And January sees the release of the second story in the series.

Focusing once more on the PAR (Patterns and Recognition) unit, their latest case pertains to a militia group who appear to be stockpiling weapons. But all isn’t as it seems when their CI (confidential informant) is killed and it becomes clear that the militia weren’t the ones to off him. It’s only when they discover an unidentified man, who could be connected to a series of serial murders, was one of the last people to see the CI alive. How will a team normally tasked with decoding puzzles and riddles, be able to solve the two cases and bring the killer - or killers - to justice? You’ll need to pick up a copy to find out.

Graceless Heart by Isabel Ibañez

Release date: January 13 (US) and January 15 (UK)

We know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but there’s just something so enchanting and magical about the latest release from Isabel Ibañez. Transporting us back to Renaissance age Italy, and a city where - again - magic is forbidden, Ravenna’s revelation of a rare mystical talent sees her kidnapped by the powerful Luni family. If she fails her task then it will almost certainly mean death at the hands of their heir, yet as she starts to get closer to him, could all that change?

With a slow-burn, forbidden, enemies-to-lovers romance at its core alongside a captivating historical tale, Ravenna is seen as a potential weapon by some of the higher ups, including The Pope. But how will she navigate what she has to do? And what will the impact be, not just on her own life, but on Florence as a whole?

Vigil by George Saunders

Release date: January 27

From the previous Booker Prize winner, George Saunders, comes a tale about the end of life, but not quite as we know it. With plenty of dark humour throughout, it follows Jill ‘Doll’ Blaine who is tasked with accompanying her latest charge to the afterlife. Despite having completed this task well over 300 times, oil tycoon K.J. Boone, isn’t like the other individuals that she’s ferried from one life into another.

Even on his deathbed, he feels assured that he lived his life without any regrets and left the world better than it was when he entered it, but as his final moments tick down, he finds himself being visited by an array of both worldly and otherworldly visitors as they assemble for his reckoning. This certainly sounds like a compelling read, and we have a feeling it might make it onto many top books of 2026 lists.

Most Eligible: A Novel by Isabelle Engel

Release date: January 13 (US) and January 16 (UK)

And if you want to ease yourself back into reading this year, or are looking for a great new romance to pick up, Most Eligible by Isabelle Engel blends the likes of Love Island, The Bachelor and one of our favourite TV shows - UnREAL - into an unputdownable rom-com.

Instead of going on the hit reality dating show, Love Shack, to find love, Georgia has finagled her way in to write an exposé on the producers. The only kink in her plan - the new host just so happens to be country singer Rhett Auburn, the man she had a somewhat memorable one-night stand with a year ago. If it wasn’t already going to be tricky enough keeping her identity and reason for being there a secret, this history with Rhett could threaten everything. What is more important, taking down the show or risking everything for a second chance with Rhett?

Ellis is a freelance journalist, based in the UK, with a love of all things books. She also routinely chairs bookish events up and down the country, getting the scoop from some of the biggest and bestselling authors to keep you in the know.