Most anticipated summer 2026 fiction: the new fiction releases I can't wait to read

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Summer reading season is one of my favourite times of the year, and the June-August 2026 release schedule is packed with fantastic books!

The summer 2026 books I'm most excited about

This summer brings new releases from some of my favourite authors, including Liane Moriarty's return to the world of Big Little Lies, a chilling new mystery from Riley Sager, an atmospheric thriller from Lisa Jewell, a heartwarming new novel from Anna Johnston, and highly anticipated new books from Ann Patchett, Maggie O'Farrell, Emily Giffin, Colson Whitehead, Kristin Harmel, Lisa See, and Shari Lapena. Add in a few buzzy debuts and my TBR is looking dangerously long.

Many of the books on my list share a fascination with hidden truths: estranged siblings revisiting childhood events, women uncovering long-buried secrets, characters confronting alternate versions of themselves, and families reckoning with the stories they've built their lives around.

Here are the upcoming June, July, and August 2026 releases that have earned a spot on my most-anticipated list, and the books I suspect readers will be talking about all summer long.

Looking for more summer reading recommendations?

If you're building your seasonal TBR and are looking for something that will truly feel like summer, don't miss my guide to the best summer beach reads of 2026, featuring even more page-turners, escapist fiction, and books perfect for vacation reading.

Looking for more book suggestions?