Most anticipated August 2026 books

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Looking for the best new fiction books coming out in August 2026? I've rounded up the upcoming novels that have caught my attention this month, including psychological thrillers, fantasy, contemporary fiction, and one highly anticipated sequel.

The book I'm most excited about is When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston. I absolutely loved The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife, it was one of my favourite uplifting reads of the year, so I've been eagerly waiting to see what she would write next. A story about a retired chef, family secrets, and second chances sounds like exactly the kind of book I love to recommend.

August also brings a new thriller from Riley Sager, whose premise about a century-old disappearance immediately hooked me, as well as Big Little Truths, Liane Moriarty's long-awaited return to the world of Big Little Lies. Fans of suspense will also want to keep an eye on Linwood Barclay's latest family-secret thriller.

And while The Beautiful Ones by Silvia Moreno-Garcia isn't a new novel, this reissue is a great opportunity to discover one of her earlier works if you missed it before becoming a fan of Mexican Gothic.

Whether you're looking for a buzzy bestseller, a twisty mystery, a fantasy escape, or a heartwarming story filled with hope, these are the August 2026 fiction releases I think deserve a spot on your radar.

August 2026 upcoming fiction releases I’m most excited about

Looking for more book suggestions?

If you want to see what’s coming beyond July, I keep a full list of upcoming fiction books updated across all release months here:

You can also hop over to my book recommendations page where I curate suggestions by theme, mood or author, including: