Hey there, bookish besties! Ready to dive into the freshest, hottest, can’t-put-down stories of July 2025?
Because honey, this month’s literary lineup is fire!
Whether you’re all about swoony romances that make your heart do somersaults, edge-of-your-seat thrillers that’ll have you clutching your coffee cup, or mind-bending sci-fi that sends your imagination into overdrive, July’s got your reading list covered, and then some. We’re talking new releases from debut sensations, beloved authors dropping the latest gems, and wild genre mashups you didn’t know you needed.
Get your bookmarks ready and your reading nook prepped, because we’re about to unveil the top 10 new book releases of July 2025. Expect everything from magical realism sprinkled with sass, to gritty mysteries wrapped in plot twists, to heartfelt family sagas that’ll tug at all your feels. It’s like a literary party, and you’re on the VIP list. So suit up(night-suit!), and let’s jump into the must-reads of July that you won’t forget of, till December!
1. Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein
Spectacular Things by Beck Dorey-Stein is a whip-smart, delightfully messy romp through heartbreak, hope, and high school hallways. Set in Washington, D.C., the novel follows a snarky yet soft-hearted teacher trying to survive a personal implosion, think: breakup, career chaos, and general existential spiralling. But when she accidentally inspires her students to speak out against a broken system, she’s swept into an unexpected whirlwind of rebellion, romance, and rediscovery.
Dorey-Stein, former Obama White House stenographer turned memoirist, brings insider smarts and real-world heart to every line. Critics are calling it “funny, fearless, and fiercely female.” With razor-sharp dialogue and soul-sparking moments, Spectacular Things is for every woman who’s ever wondered if she’s still allowed to dream big, and look cute doing it.
2. Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr.
Archive of Unknown Universes by Ruben Reyes Jr. is a swoony, time-bending roller coaster with heart, heritage, and a sprinkle of sci-fi sparkle. Harvard student Ana stumbles upon the Defractor, a device that lets her peek into alternate versions of her life(talk of a dream come true). But what starts as curiosity turns into a deeply emotional journey as Ana unearths secrets about her Salvadoran family, especially her great-uncle Neto, whose star-crossed love with a revolutionary in 1970s El Salvador is gorgeous and tragic.
Readers are obsessed, calling it “brilliantly original” and “a literary multiverse with heart.” It’s tender, electric, and gives major girl-who-loves-books-and-big-feelings energy. If you love queer romance taking place in an old-timey place with old-timey magic then this book is about to become your new favourite. Grab some tissues and dive right in for an unforgettable journey.
3. The Shroud Of Hades by Andy McDermott
The Shroud of Hades by Andy McDermott is like if Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones had a wildly chaotic, action-loving baby, and then handed it a passport and a grenade. In this high-octane instalment of the Nina Wilde and Eddie Chase series, our favourite fearless archaeologist duo is chasing down the mythical Shroud of Hades (yes, that Hades), which supposedly grants the power to raise the dead. Casual, right?
From ancient ruins to shady billionaires, the pace never lets up, and neither do the one-liners. Nina is as brainy as she is bold, and Eddie? Still a lovable wrecking ball. Critics praise McDermott for his cinematic flair and globe-trotting thrills. It’s smart, sassy, and basically a roller coaster with a PhD in mythology. Hold onto your (stylish) hat.
4. The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia is a witchy, brainy, vibes-heavy novel your dark academia dreams ordered, served with a side of gothic chills. Jumping between 1908 Mexico, 1930s New England, and 1998 academia, it follows three women tangled in one seriously spooky mystery involving a legendary witch, missing girls, and stories that refuse to stay fiction. It’s creepy, clever, and full of eerie elegance.
Moreno-Garcia weaves folklore, feminism, and fear into a hauntingly beautiful tapestry. Already known as “intelligent and bone-chilling” among critics, Garcia is being praised for creating atmosphere so dark, you’ll want a nightlight. It’s not just about witches; it’s about power, legacy, and digging up the past, literally and emotionally. You’ll want to read it with a torch, a knife and with your best friend on speed-dial.
5. Maid for Each Other by Lynn Painter
Abi Mariano, juggling two jobs and an MFA, suddenly finds herself unexpectedly, yet cleverly, crashing the penthouse she cleans when her apartment turns into a no‑stay zone. Cue the appearance of Declan’s parents, who assume she’s his girlfriend “Abby.” To save face, Declan whips up a fake‑dating scheme: she’s his stand‑in for a high‑stakes weekend, in return for a chic place to stay. Predictable? Maybe. But oh‑so‑comforting.
Critics swoon over Painter’s razor‑sharp banter and a heroine who’s smart, sassy, and effortlessly lovable. Reviewers are gushing over the sparkling charm this story withholds. You’re going to love it just as much, especially if you adore a rom‑com with heart, humour, and that flirty, fairy‑tale flair.
check out Lynn Painter’s interview on her book at: maid for each other
6. Glorious Rivals by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Seven fierce competitors land on Hawthorne Island for The Grandest Game, where survival isn’t just about brainpower, it’s life or death, with glamour, danger, and twisted alliances all served up in one explosive YA mystery. Rohan wakes up in Savannah’s room, realises she filched his key to nab their team’s sacred sword, cue witty mind games and cheeky rivalry that sizzles.
Critics raved about how Barnes brilliantly juggles psychological thrills and character heat, with relationships blooming from banter, not insta-love, and puzzles that unpack more than just clues, they crack open personalities. The twists are sharp, the intrigue is lush, the stakes are sky-high, and it’s absolutely un-put-downable (but maybe keep a cold beverage handy, cause you’ll be swooning).
7. Our Last Vineyard Summer by Brooke Lea Foster
Our Last Vineyard Summer is your next “chic‑lit with secrets” obsession. It flicks between 1965 and 1978 on Martha’s Vineyard, where Betsy, still reeling from her senator‑dad’s death and an academic heartbreak, returns with her sisters to help their fiercely feminist mother sell their beloved summer house(did someone say 20th century literary version of ‘the summer i turned pretty’ season 2?). But as they pack up memories, long‑buried secrets and sister tensions bubble to the surface.
Critics are head-over-heels for it, calling it “a radiant, sun‑flushed summer novel packed with beaches, secrets, and sisters,” and “a quiet powerhouse, deeply atmospheric, emotionally resonant and steeped in the history and heartbreak of generational womanhood.” It’s warm, witty, and totally heart‑tugging, the perfect beach read with substance and sparkle.
8. The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates
The Rabbit Club by Christopher J. Yates is a dark, twisty, deliciously addictive mystery with serious dark academia vibes, and yes, you’ll want to read it in a chunky sweater with an espresso. Set years after the events of Black Chalk, the story reunites old college friends when a mysterious message pulls them back into a secret game they thought was long buried (spoiler: it’s so not). Secrets unravel, betrayals resurface, and trust? Totally optional. Imagine a pretty little liars type mystery with British accents and a dark twist!
Yates weaves suspense like a pro, but with a fresh, literary flair that’s equal parts sharp and stylish. Critics are calling it “un-put-downable” and “a chilling study in friendship and manipulation.” One might say that it’s The Secret History meets a psychological thriller. You’ll obsess over every mind game.
9. The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy by Brigitte Knightley
Imagine smarty-pants healer meets broody assassin in a magic‑filled kingdom. Osric Mordaunt, death-defying Fyren assassin, needs healing, stat. The only person who can help? Aurienne Fairhrim, brilliant Haelan scientist with zero patience for murder or murderers. He bribes her (because obviously), she agrees (reluctantly), and together they tackle his fatal illness and a mysterious pox outbreak. Forced teamwork turns into fiery banter, and, of course, unlimited swooning.
Critics and fellow readers can’t stop buzzing: “utterly unique, hilarious, swoony beyond my wildest dreams”, “razor‑sharp wit and graceful characterisation”, and that “wickedly delicious banter” that makes you shout to just kiss already. It’s a slow‑burn enemies‑to‑lovers fantasy that’s cheeky, charming, and totally binge‑worthy.
10. The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager
The Art of Vanishing by Morgan Pager is a dreamy, whimsical adventure that feels like stepping into a painting, literally. Claire, a quirky night janitor at an art museum, doesn’t expect her life to change while mopping marble floors, until she discovers a man trapped inside a Matisse painting. Jean, charming and mysterious, draws her into a magical, painted world full of glittering parties, moonlit beaches, and wild horse races. As reality blurs with art, so does her heart, because falling for a guy made of brushstrokes? Kind of her brand now. Didn’t we all dream of this while watching ‘Sofia the First’ in our childhood?
This novel oozes charm, originality, and soft romance with a slightly surreal twist. It’s beautifully written, full of colour and curiosity, and balances whimsy with emotion in the best way. Perfect for romantics, dreamers, and secret museum girls.
more reads: the housemaid
