This week’s new releases invite readers into worlds both familiar and strange, where ambition, desire and secrets intertwine in the lives of unforgettable characters. From the quiet obsessions of a bystander holding the truth of a sensational trial to the divided life of a mother whose fame casts long shadows, these novels explore the fragile, often contradictory threads that shape who we are and how we remember.
Across genres, these stories pulse with heart and tension: a young woman discovering her magical heritage, sisters confronting forces beyond their understanding, lovers navigating impossible choices and heirs battling for kingdoms in icebound realms. Each book lingers in the mind, a meditation on longing, power and the choices that define us, offering not just entertainment, but a vivid reflection on the complexities of human life.
In Her Defense by Philippa Malicka
Beloved TV personality Anna Finbow accuses her daughter’s therapist of manipulation as a dramatic celebrity libel trial engulfs the country, while the therapist asserts that she is revealing hidden trauma. Everyone is observing, but only one unnoticed witness is aware of the true events in Rome. In this perverse, thrilling debut, Augusta “Gus” Bird, a former employee with secrets of her own, must choose whether to risk everything to disclose the truth.
Family Drama by Rebecca Fallon
Before an odd Viking funeral leaves her twins orphaned and oblivious to her celebrity, a young mother in New England and a well-liked soap opera actress in Los Angeles lead two sides of the same existence. The truth of their mother’s conflicting dreams comes to light years later as the siblings struggle with loss, memory and hidden truths. This debut, which is lyrical and poignant, examines love, ambition and the price of being who we want to be.
The Exes by Leodora Darlington
Natalie has always wanted “the one,” but her search for love leaves a trail of failed relationships — and a past she’d rather forget. When charming James enters her life, she dares to believe in happily ever after. Then buried secrets resurface, forcing Natalie to question her own memories, her marriage and whether a dangerous pattern follows her in this sharp, twist-filled debut thriller.
Books & Bewitchment by Isla Jewell
Practical Rhea Wolfe arrives in Arcadia Falls, a quaint mountain hamlet filled of long-standing grudges and hidden powers, after inheriting her estranged grandmother’s estate. She uncovers her own latent abilities while turning a closed video store into the bookstore of her dreams, as well as an overwhelming attraction to the grandson of a competing witch. This warm, whimsical, and romantic fantasy romantic comedy honors second chances, finding family and having faith in a little magic in everyday life.
Dawn of the North by Demi Winters
The missing Volsik heir Silla must unite the northern jarls and retake the throne from Ivar Ironheart in the Viking-inspired Kingdom of Münseldur, despite being mentally distorted by a god’s shard. Saga, her sister, must decide between love and innocent lives as she battles for freedom on an enigmatic island. The sisters must use their magic to fight evil and defend their realm as toxic mists rise.
