Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2025

It’s almost here, my favorite time of year! Fall is just the best with its crisp weather and cozy blankets. I love nothing better than curling up on the couch and reading in front of a roaring fire. And the fall is usually chock full of great new books. This year is no different. 

All links listed below are Amazon affiliate links. As another option, I’ve also created a list of these books in my Bookshop.org shop that supports independent bookstores and creators. All books are listed in order of their anticipated publication dates (subject to change).

• Historical Fiction
• Historical Mysteries
• History Nonfiction
• Contemporary Fiction
• Contemporary Romance
• Christmas-themed Novels
• Other
• Middle Grade/YA

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Historical Fiction

The Women of Oak Ridge by Michelle Shocklee (September 9th)

I am excited to read this dual timeline novel about the women who worked at the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. I don’t know much about this project and the people who worked there. Read my five-star review here!

The Missing Pages by Alyson Richman (October 14th)

This dual timeline novel tells the story of Harry Widener who went down with the Titanic and for whom Harvard’s library is named. Is his ghost trying to communicate through a book in the library today? This novel sounds perfect for spooky season! Read my five-star review here.

The Good Daughters by Brigitte Dale (November 4th)

I’d love to learn more about the British suffragettes who endured great persecution to ensure voting rights for women. This novel looks fascinating! 

Historical Mysteries

A Rather Peculiar Poisoning by Chrystal Schleyer (September 2nd)

A murder mystery in the turn of the century at an English manor home? Sign me up! I have an ARC, and it sounds like the perfect fall read. Read my five-star review here!

A Dark and Deadly Journey (Evelyne Redfern #3) by Julia Kelly (September 23rd)

My favorite historical mystery series! I love seeing how Evelyne copes with murders during WWII. Excited to read my ARC. Read my review here.

The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes by Chanel Cleeton (September 30th)

I love Chanel’s books and have read all of her historical fiction novels. This one set in three different timelines centers around a mysterious book. And the cover is just gorgeous! Read my review here.

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History Nonfiction

Winning the Earthquake: How Jeannette Rankin Defied All Odds to Become the First Woman in Congress by Lorissa Rinehart (November 4th)

I don’t know much about the first Congresswoman Jeannette Rankin so I am looking forward to learning more. 

Theodore Roosevelt and the Smithsonian Expedition to British East Africa, 1909-1910 by Frank H. Goodyear III (September 23rd)

This Smithsonian book would make a great Christmas present for the history lover in your life. It’s full of pictures and hisorical details about Theodore Roosevelt’s trip with his son into the heart of Africa where they collected many of the animals now on display in museums. 

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Contemporary Fiction

Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz (November 11th)

Set in a small Georgia town, this novel about sisters joining together to save their family’s beauty shop looks to have all of the Southern charm of one of my all-time favorite movie characters, Truvy from Steel Magnolias. I am a sucker for anything set in the South. 

And Then There Was You by Sophie Cousens (November 18th)

I’m a Sophie Counsens completist and have loved each and every one of her books. Her latest about a woman who gets a fake date to go with her to her college reunion looks like the right amount of fun mixed with nostalgia. Sophie’s books are always light-hearted with an emotional heft that stays with you. Read my review here.

Contemporary Romance

Meet Me in Virginia by Elizabeth Camden (September 2nd) 

This romance by a local author looks so good! A Jane Austen-loving history professor and a brash architect clash over a historic home in Virginia. Sounds perfect for me! 

The Austen Affair by Madeline Bell (September 16th)

What a cute idea for a romance! Two actors who are starring in an Austen film adaptation in the present day time travel back to Regency-era England. Can’t wait to get to my ARC. Read my review here.

Backslide by Nora Dahlia (October 21st) 

I enjoyed the author’s romance last year (Pick-Up) and can’t wait to get to this fun enemies-to-lovers romance. 

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Christmas-themed Novels

Yours for the Season by Emily Stone (October 7th)

Stone is my go-to author for emotional holiday romances with heart. Her latest is about a former couple who have to pretend to be together for a Scottish Christmas. It looks so cute! Read my review here.

Grace & Henry’s Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman (October 14th)

This romance looks adorable yet deals with heavy issues like grief. I heard great things about his last novel (Charm City Rocks) so I am looking forward to reading an ARC of this one. Read my review here.

Mistletoe and Magic by Helene Sula (October 23rd)

Available on Kindle in the US, this book by one of my favorite travel bloggers looks so cute. Set in a magical UK village, a jaded young woman discovers herself and love in an antiquarian Yorkshire bookshop. Read my review here.

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Other

The Bible Recap 365-Day Chronological Study Bible: English Standard Version (September 2nd)

I love The Bible Recap podcast but sometimes I can’t listen to the daily explanations even if I do the Bible reading. This Bible has the daily explanations in it so I can just read instead of listen. Edited to add I just got my copy and love it! Perfect for reading the Bible in a year.

Cancer Is Complicated: And Other Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned by Clea Shearer (September 23rd)

I’ve known about Clea, who is one half of The Home Edit duo, for a while but became a follower during her ongoing battle with breast cancer. She’s been on a roller coaster with diagnosis and treatment for a couple years, and I am interested in learning more about her journey. Read my review here.

My Southern Kitchen: From Suppers to Celebrations, Recipes for Every Occasion by Ivy Odom (October 7th)

I love Southern Living magazine writer Ivy Odom’s Instagram reels about bringing her grandmother’s Southern cooking into the 21st century. The traditions, the food, the etiquette – all remind me of growing up in North Carolina.  Edited to add that I received my preorder and it’s just as beautiful as it is helpful! Can’t wait to make the items inside!

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Middle Grade/YA

War Games by Alan Gratz (October 7th)

A favorite middle grade author, this new release by Alan Gratz takes children to 1936 as a young girl fights against the impending Nazi horrors. 

I Survived the Dust Bowl, 1935 by Lauren Tarshis (October 7th)

The latest in the I Survived series helps kids understand a complicated subject, the Dust Bowl that occurred during the Great Depression. 

White House Undercover (White House Clubhouse #3) by Sean O’Brien (October 14th)

This looks to be the last in this fun series of books about time traveling kids of the president. This time, they go back in time to the FDR White House and pal around with the Roosevelt grandchildren. So cute! 

A Queen’s Match (A Queen’s Duet) by Katharine McGee (November 4th)

This is a sequel to McGee’s YA book from last year about three young queens from history. I love her American Royals series so I know this series will be a hit. 

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So many great books. Where will we find the time to read them? 

Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads to learn more about what I’m reading throughout the year!