New Book Releases for October 2024
It’s early in the month and I can’t help but think about the upcoming popular new book releases for October 2024 and which books I will eagerly add to my to-buy list. And luckily there are quite a few that have caught my eye and that I’m hoping to add to my cart my budget willing. Here are the nine new book releases that I’m the most excited about.
The Boyfriend by Frida McFadden- Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Expected Publication: October 1
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Freida McFadden’s chokehold on the mystery, thriller, and suspense genre continues as she releases her newest novel. Coming in on Goodreads with a whooping 4.13 stars and thirty-six thousand and sixty-six ratings. I believe it’s time to pop my Freida McFadden cherry and see what the fuss is about.
Synopsis
She’s looking for the perfect man. He’s looking for the perfect victim.
Sydney Shaw, like every single woman in New York, has terrible luck with dating. She’s seen it men who lie in their dating profile, men who stick her with the dinner bill, and worst of all, men who can’t shut up about their mothers. But finally, she hits the jackpot.
Her new boyfriend is utterly perfect. He’s charming, handsome, and works as a doctor at a local hospital. Sydney is swept off her feet.
Then the brutal murder of a young woman―the latest in a string of deaths across the coast―confounds police. The primary suspect? A mystery man who dates his victims before he kills them.
Sydney should feel safe. After all, she is dating the guy of her dreams. But she can’t shake her own suspicions that the perfect man may not be as perfect as he seems. Because someone is watching her every move, and if she doesn’t get to the truth, she’ll be the killer’s next victim…
A dark story about obsession and the things we’ll do for love, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden proves that crimes of passion are often the bloodiest…
Heir by Sabaa Tahir – Genre: Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy
Expected Publication: October 1
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Just reading this synopsis gives me chills. Heir sounds like an epic beginning to a fantastic young adult fantasy duology. And if you don’t know I’m an absolute sucker for YA fantasy. So, of course, this is added to my list of anticipated new books for October.
Synopsis
An orphan.
An outcast.
A prince.
And a killer who will bring an empire to its knees.
Growing up in the Kegari slums, AIZ has seen her share of suffering. An old tragedy fuels her need for vengeance, but it is love of her people that propels her. Until one hotheaded mistake lands her in an inescapable prison, where the embers of her wrath ignite.
Banished from her people for an unforgivable crime, SIRSHA is a down-on-her-luck tracker who uses magic to trace her marks. Destitute, she agrees to hunt down a killer who has murdered children across the Martial Empire. All she has to do is carry out the job and get paid. But when a chance encounter leads to an unexpected attraction, Sirsha learns her mission might cost her far more than she’s willing to give up.
QUIL is the crown prince of the Empire and nephew of a venerated empress, but he’s loath to take the throne when his aunt steps down. As the son of a reviled emperor, he, better than anyone, understands that power corrupts. When a vicious new enemy threatens the survival of the Empire, Quil must ask himself if he can rise above his tragic lineage and be the heir his people need.
Beloved storyteller Sabaa Tahir interweaves the lives of three young people as they grapple with power, treachery, love, and the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, on a journey that may cost them their lives―and their hearts. Literally.
Nothing Like the Movies by Lynn Painter – Genre: Young Adult Romance
Expected Publication: October 1
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When I heard there would be a sequel to Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter my heart immediately stopped. Like why?? Wes and Liz are perfection and must be protected at all costs. So, of course, I have to get and read this book because I will not be happy until I know my babies are ok living happily ever after. Despite the conditions that we get this sequel I am excited to see my favorite fictional couple again.
Synopsis
For a few beautiful months, Wes had his dream girl: the strong-willed girl next door Liz. But right as the two were about to set off for college to start their freshman year together, tragedy struck. Wes was left dealing with the fallout, which ultimately meant losing Liz in the process.
Flash forward months later, and Wes and Liz find themselves in college, together. In a healthier place now, Wes knows he broke Liz’s heart when he ended things, but he is determined to make her fall back in love with him.
Wes knows Liz better than anyone, and he has a foolproof plan to win her back with rom-com-worthy grand gestures she loves. Only . . . Liz will have none of it! Wes has to scheme like a rom-com hero to figure out how to see her. Even worse, Liz has a new friend . . . a guy friend.
Still, Wes won’t give up, adapting his clever plans and going hard to get Liz’s attention and win back her affection. But after his best efforts get him nowhere, Wes is left wondering if their relationship is really over for good.
Society of Lies by Lauren Ling Brown – Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense
Expected Publication: October 1
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I’m working on building a TBR for November that includes a few dark academia-themed books and when I read this premise it sounded like the perfect addition to my list. Secret societies, a chilling past, and hidden secrets from a deceased sibling sound like a suspense-laden story that I’m going to enjoy.
Synopsis
How far would you go to belong?
Maya has returned to Princeton for her college reunion—it’s been a decade since she graduated, and she is looking forward to seeing old faces and reminiscing about her time there. This visit is special because Maya will also be attending the graduation of her little sister, Naomi.
But what should have been a dream weekend becomes Maya’s worst nightmare when she receives the news that Naomi is dead. The police are calling it an accident, but Maya suspects that there is more to the story than they are letting on.
As Maya pieces together what happened in the months leading up to her sister’s death, she begins to realize how much Naomi hid from her. Despite Maya’s warnings, Naomi had joined Sterling Club, the most exclusive social club on campus—the same one Maya belonged to. And if she had to guess, Naomi was likely tapped for the secret society within it.
The more Maya uncovers, the more terrified she becomes that Naomi’s decision to follow in her footsteps might have been what got her killed. Because Maya’s time at Princeton wasn’t as wonderful as she’d always made it seem—after all, her sister wasn’t the first young woman to turn up dead. Now every clue is leading Maya back to the past . . . and to the secret she’s kept all these years.
A Song to Drown Rivers by Ann Liang – Genre: Fantasy, Historical Fantasy, Romance, YA
Expected Publication: October 1
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It’s getting close to the time of year when I begin diving into my favorite fantasy novels. And this one sounds perfectly delicious. A young beautiful woman trained to use her beauty as a weapon as she rises to the upper echelons of the Wu court. I’m hoping that this tale is a lyrical and sweeping masterpiece full of intrigue, risk, and danger with the inclusion of fantastical elements that create a rapturous world I can’t step away from.
Synopsis
Inspired by the legend of Xishi, one of the famous Four Beauties of Ancient China, A Song to Drown Rivers is an epic historical fantasy about womanhood, war, sacrifice, and love against all odds.
Her beauty hides a deadly purpose.
Xishi’s beauty is seen as a blessing to the villagers of Yue—convinced that the best fate for a girl is to marry well and support her family. When Xishi draws the attention of the famous young military advisor, Fanli, he presents her with a rare opportunity: to use her beauty as a weapon. One that could topple the rival neighboring kingdom of Wu, improve the lives of her people, and avenge her sister’s murder. All she has to do is infiltrate the enemy palace as a spy, seduce their immoral king, and weaken them from within.
Trained by Fanli in everything from classical instruments to concealing emotion, Xishi hones her beauty into the perfect blade. But she knows Fanli can see through every deception she masters, the attraction between them burning away any falsehoods.
Once inside the enemy palace, Xishi finds herself under the hungry gaze of the king’s advisors while the king himself shows her great affection. Despite his gentleness, a brutality lurks and Xishi knows she can never let her guard down. But the higher Xishi climbs in the Wu court, the farther she and Fanli have to fall—and if she is unmasked as a traitor, she will bring both kingdoms down.
The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak – Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Expected Publication: October 8
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Jason Rekulak is an author who has recently landed on my radar. Maybe it’s due to it being at the height of spooky season but I’ve seen countless recommendations for his prior novel Hidden Pictures which has received glowing reviews and has a 4.16 stars on Goodreads. So, this has piqued my interest in exploring his works and seeing if he could be my next favorite mystery thriller novelist. His newest novel has grabbed my attention and I’m anxious to get my hands on a copy and test drive this author for myself.
Synopsis:
Frank Szatowski is shocked when his daughter, Maggie, calls him for the first time in three years. He was convinced that their estrangement would become permanent. He’s even more surprised when she invites him to her upcoming wedding in New Hampshire. Frank is ecstatic and determined to finally make things right.
He arrives to find that the wedding is at a private estate—very secluded, very luxurious, very much out of his league. It seems that Maggie failed to mention that she’s marrying Aidan Gardner, the son of a famous tech billionaire. Feeling desperately out of place, Frank focuses on reconnecting with Maggie and getting to know her new family. But it’s difficult: Aidan is withdrawn and evasive; Maggie doesn’t seem to have time for him; and he finds that the locals are disturbingly hostile to the Gardners. Frank needs to know more about this family his daughter is marrying into, but if he pushes too hard, he could lose Maggie forever.
An edge-of-your-seat thriller that delves deep into the heart of one family, The Last One at the Wedding is a work of brilliant suspense from a true modern master.
The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins – Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Expected Publication: October 29
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Paula Hawkins is known for her wild success with The Girl on the Train which led to a movie adaptation starring Emily Blunt. While I reluctantly admit to breaking my rule of reading the book before watching the movie and never had the experience of reading Hawkins’s debut effort I was still impressed with the general premise. I’m interested to read her current work of fiction and discover this author’s work in written form as opposed to onscreen. It has the makings of the kind of story I can dig my teeth into.
Synopsis
An isolated Scottish island, accessible to the mainland only twelve hours a day. A famous (some might say infamous) artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared after visiting her twenty years ago. A present-day discovery that intimately connects three people and unveils a web of secrets and lies.
Welcome to Eris: an island with only one house, one inhabitant, one way out. Unreachable from the Scottish mainland for twelve hours each day.
Once home to Vanessa: A famous artist whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago.
Now home to Grace: A solitary creature of the tides, content in her own isolation.
But when a shocking discovery is made in an art gallery far away in London, a visitor comes calling.
And the secrets of Eris threaten to emerge….
Don’t Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews – Horror, Fantasy, Young Adult
Expected Publication: October 29
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This book sounds delightfully sinister and creepy. Perfect for the spooky season and delivering all the spooky vibes this Halloween. I’m interested in exploring this story of creatures created from innocent sketches of nightmarish tales goes horribly wrong.
Synopsis
Once upon a time, Andrew had cut out his heart and given it to this boy, and he was very sure Thomas had no idea that Andrew would do anything for him.
Protect him. Lie for him. Kill for him.
High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality—Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.
But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won’t say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork—whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew’s wicked stories.
Desperate to figure out what’s wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster—Thomas’s drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator…
This Motherless Land by Nikki May – Genre: Contemporary, Literary Fiction
Expected Publication: October 29
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I love good literary fiction especially one that’s steeped in family drama and history. And, from the premise of this novel, it will certainly deliver on both of these fronts. Nikki May is yet another author that I’m looking forward to experimenting with. Plus the fact that this story is told across two countries Nigeria and England holds the promise of a story steeped in a rich, dynamic culture that I’m eager to explore.
Synopsis
Quiet Funke is happy in Nigeria. She loves her art teacher mother, her professor father, and even her annoying little brother (most of the time). But when tragedy strikes, she’s sent to England, a place she knows only from her mother’s stories. To her dismay, she finds the much-lauded estate dilapidated, the food tasteless, the weather grey. Worse still, her mother’s family are cold and distant. With one her cousin Liv.
Free-spirited Liv has always wanted to break free of her joyless family. She becomes fiercely protective of her little cousin, and her warmth and kindness give Funke a place to heal. The two girls grow into adulthood the closest of friends.
But the choices their mothers made haunt Funke and Liv and when a second tragedy occurs their friendship is torn apart. Against the long shadow of their shared family history, each woman will struggle to chart a path forward, separated by country, misunderstanding, and ambition.
Moving between Somerset and Lagos over the course of two decades, This Motherless Land is a sweeping examination of identity, culture, race, and love that asks how we find belonging and whether a family’s generational wrongs can be righted.
So these are my top picks for new book releases in October. What new book releases are you looking forward to? Hopefully, I can sneak all this past my husband and add them to my TBR without him being none the wiser. Wish me luck and happy reading!
