2026 has just begun and our TBR lists are already jam packed with some exciting new books!
Fair warning, this list is composed of fiction reads and are predominantly based on our interests in genre storytelling, but there is a truly spectacular line up of books to get you through the cold winter days ahead. From fantasy, to romance to horror to good old fashioned drama, January is filled to the brim with options for any type of reader you are.
Without further ado, let’s dive into our most anticipated book releases of January 2026.
The Starseekers by Nicole Glover
“Indiana Jones meets Hidden Figures in this brand-new stand-alone historical fantasy set in the world of The Conductors, in which the space race of the mid-20th century will be determined by magic…if not murder.” -Harper Collins Canada
Nicole Glover expands her Murder and Magic series with a new standalone historical fantasy that blends mystery, science fiction, history and magic. An ambitious melding of genres in a story that looks to be a thrilling, whirlwind of adventure and good ole black girl magic. There is so much packed into the novel, but Glover’s previous works indicate that readers will be absolutely enthralled.
Published by: Harper Collins Canada
Imprint Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Rings of Fate (Curses and Crowns) by Melissa de la Cruz
“She’s a barmaid who doesn’t believe in fairy tales. He’s a prince cursed to live one.” -Entangled Publishing
No, Rings of Fate, isn’t a Lord of the Rings spin-off. Melissa de la Cruz’s latest offers us a fun romp in the vein of The Princess Bride. The fairy tale follows a barmaid who doesn’t believe in them and a prince trapped in one. The latest from the author of the Blue Bloods series is an adult romantasy that takes us on adventure that plays with typical fairy tale conventions.
Published by: Entangled Publishing
Imprint Publisher: Red Tower Books
Publication date: January 6, 2026
Definitely Maybe Not A Detective by Sarah Fox
“In this delightfully charming rom-com mystery, a woman becomes accidentally entangled in a murder investigation (and with a handsome stranger) when her fake detective agency is enlisted to solve a real homicide.” -Penguin Random House Canada
The recent wave of murder mysteries with twist has been absolutely delightful, and it is no doubt that Sarah Fox’s first novel in the The Wyatt Investigations Mysteries series will scratch the itch for mysteries and rom-coms. We have a protagonist that is down on her luck, who comes up with a silly scheme with her friends that involves a really hot man, a fake detective agency and a very real murder. The book promises to be a fun, fast-paced romp that will have you giggling and kicking your feet. Fox brings a new meaning to “cozy mystery.”
Published by: Penguin Random House
Imprint Publisher: Bantam
Publication date: January 6, 2026
The Swan’s Daughter by Roshani Chokshi
“In this lush and enchanting novel from New York Times bestselling author Roshani Chokshi, a prince is only as good as his beating heart and a maiden is only as good as her honest word. But when love and the truth become impossibly tangled, the two must figure out how to survive together, or fall completely apart.” -MacMillan
Roshani Chokshi, author of The Star-Touched Queen series, returns to the fantasy realm with “a possibly doomed love story” about a prince cursed with an unfortunately worded wish from a sea witch, a vertitas swan in need of safety and a deadly tournament for the princes hand and heart. The concept is intriguing, blending classic fairytale tropes with a hint of danger and whimsy.
Published by: Macmillan
Imprint Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication date: January 6, 2026
You’ll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya
“In this captivating cat-and-mouse thriller, a struggling actress is only just beginning to enjoy the life sheʼs always wanted after inadvertently killing her rival—but now she must contend with the woman who threatens to take it all away.” -Penguin Random House Canada
You’ll Never Forget Me has one hell of a hook: a lesbian cat-and-mouse thriller about an actress caught up in a murder and the private investigator. SOLD! Listen, Isha Raya is onto something with a story about a morally questionable woman who takes the “I’d kill for blank” expression a bit too far and the lengths she and her rival slash potential lover go to for their career advancement. Ambition and lust make for a deadly combo, and this reader is all too ready to enjoy the fiery mess.
Published by: Penguin Random House
Imprint Publisher: Bantam
Publication date: January 13, 2026
Fire Sword & Sea by Vanessa Riley
“The real Pirates of the Caribbean were Black, and women! From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a sweeping, immersive saga based on the life of the legendary seventeenth-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye.” -Harper Collins Canada
Every few years, we hear word of a potential remake, reboot or sequel of The Pirates of the Caribbean film series, and I get violently ill because we will once again be treated to white people taking to the sea for ill-gotten gains and well, that man may appear. But wait a minute, Vanessa Riley may have the cure with a novel that transports us to a sweeping ocean-faring epic starring Black women as the real Pirates of the Caribbean. Based on the 17th-century pirate Jacquotte Delehaye, Riley’s latest is a fierce, action-packed, queer historical fiction that will satiate those eager for a swash-buckling adventure with some melanin.
Published by: Harper Collins Canada
Imprint Publisher: William Morrow
Publication date: January 13, 2026
The Poet Empress by Shen Tao
“Debut author Shen Tao introduces readers to the lush, deadly world of The Poet Empress, a sweeping, epic and intimate fantasy perfect for fans of The Serpent & the Wings of Night, The Song of Achilles and She Who Became the Sun.” -Tor Publishing Group
Shen Tao steps into the spotlight with an epic fantasy about a woman, desperate to save her family and village from a famine, who offers herself up as a concubine to a cruel prince. The poet, already facing challenges as a woman, must muster all her strength and wit to protect her heart and accomplish her goal. The book promises to be heavy on drama, and we are here for it!
Published by: Tor Publishing
Imprint Publisher: Bramble
Publication date: January 20, 2026
The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao
“When you lose your way in life, the Elsewhere Express just might find you. Step on board the train that may take you to your life’s purpose in this wistful, Ghibli-esque fantasy from the bestselling author of Water Moon.” -Penguin Random House Canada
Admittedly, I have not picked up Samantha Sotto Yambao’s previous novel, Water Moon, but the power of a vibrant, stunning cover has brought me to her latest novel and piqued my interest in her writing. The Elsewhere Express not only captivates the eye but it grips onto your heart with a whimsical, endearing synopsis that transports you to a creatively fulfilling landscape not too dissimilar to the worlds Studio Ghibli sends us to. A Ghibli-esque fantasy is all I need to hear to get my hands on this book immediately.
Published by: Penguin Random House Canada
Imprint Publisher: Del Rey
Publication date: January 20, 2026
The Legend of Meneka (A Divine Dancers Novel) by Kritika H. Rao
“Bestselling author Kritika H. Rao’s first book in the Divine Dancers duology weaves an empowering and romantic tale of identity, rebellion, and cosmic power inspired by Hindu mythology.” – HarperCollins Canada
“Seduction is her weapon” is the opening line of the synopsis of Kritika H. Rao’s first novel of a new duology, and as intended, it draws in an audience. The Legend of Meneka promises a sweeping cosmic epic inspired by Hindu mythology. The story has all that romantasy readers want and more: a slow-burning enemies-to-lovers romance, gods, magic, a heroine fighting for her destiny and a man obsessed with her.
Published by: HarperCollins Canada
Imprint Publisher: Harper Voyager
Publication date: January 20, 2026
The Re-Do List by Denise Williams
“What would you do with a second chance at your first time? Following a bad breakup, Willow Lewis tackles a re-do list with the help of her brother’s best friend in this sweet and sexy new romance from USA Today bestselling author Denise Williams.” – Penguin Random House Canada
It’s the perfect time to feel the warmth of a sweet romance novel, and Denise Williams has one that will fulfill those who crave the overwhelming cuteness in a friends-to-lovers trope. After a heartbreaking breakup with her high school sweetheart, Cruz gets the idea to redo the big moments with her brother’s best friend. If the synopsis already has you giggling and kicking your feet, then you know the book will be lots of fun.
Published by: Penguin Random House
Imprint Publisher: Berkley Publication
Publication date: January 27, 2026
To Ride a Rising Storm (The Second Book of Nampeshiweisit) by Moniquill Blackgoose
“Anequs and her dragon may be coming of age, but they’re also coming to power, and that brings an important realization: the world needs changing—and they might just be the ones to do it.” -Penguin Random House Canada
Moniquill Blackgoose returns with the sequel to the epic To Shape a Dragon’s Breath. The continuation follows Anequs, a young indigenous woman, as she and her dragon face more challenges during summer break from Kuiper’s Academy.
Published by: Penguin Random House Canada
Imprint Publisher: Del Rey
Publication date: January 27, 2026
On Sundays She Picked Flowers by Yah Yah Scholfield
“In this sinister and surreal Southern Gothic debut, a woman escapes into the uncanny woods of southern Georgia and must contend with ghosts, haints, and most dangerous of all, the truth about herself.” -Simon & Schuster Canada
Yah-Yah Scholfield makes her debut with a Southern Gothic novel, perfect for readers looking for a little spookiness during the winter season. Scholfield’s tale is one rooted in meaningful themes and topics while tapping into the conventions that make the gothic horror genre so compelling. Ghosts, identity, love, trauma, fantasy and horror swirl together to make for a haunting trip to southern Georgia.
Published by: Simon & Schuster Canada
Imprint Publisher: Saga Press
Publication date: January 27, 2026
The Ex Dilemma by Elle Wright
“A commitment phobic heir in Detroit, Michigan faces the ultimate challenge from his powerful grandmother and family company CEO in this charming, irresistibly fun and flirty new contemporary romance from award-winning author Elle Wright.” -Penguin Random House Canada
At the beginning of a new contemporary series, Elle Wright taps in with a book that gives us a steamy romance between a reckless bachelor and his ex, a private detective who is recruited to help him overcome a social media stalker. Professionalism and the past become tangled, and well, it is a recipe for a heart-pounding romance that readers will absolutely love. I mean, who doesn’t love a good ol’ fashioned second-chance romance with a dash of messiness?
Published by: Penguin Random House Canada
Imprint Publisher: Kensington
Publication date: January 27, 2026
Last First Kiss by Julian Winters
“Sparks fly in this second chance m/m rom com when an unlucky-in-love event planner realizes the man-of-honor at the high profile wedding he’s planning is the same man who broke his heart.” -Macmillan Publishers
A second-chance romance meets The Wedding Planner in Julian Winter’s latest contemporary romance. An unlucky-in-love event planner finds his romantic luck turning when the wedding he is planning brings him face-to-face with the man who broke his heart. Oh, the drama, at least he isn’t the groom! After exploring the second-chance romance with a fake dating plot in I Think They Love You, this spin-off delves into the complex emotions of healing a broken heart and trusting love again.
Published by: St. Martin’s Press
Imprint Publisher: St Martin’s Griffin
Publication date: January 27, 2026
The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
“From the two-time Emmy Award–winning producer and host of the Black and Published podcast comes a sweeping multi-generational epic following seven generations of Dupree women as they navigate love, loss, and the unyielding ties of family in the tradition of Homegoing and The Love Songs of W.E.B. DuBois.” -Simon & Schuster Canada
Nikesha Elise Williams ’ latest novel is already making waves as a pivotal novel in Black literature, a sweeping generational epic about Black women’s resilience and spirit. The Seven Daughters of Dupree kicks off a new year of historical fiction that delves into relevant issues and themes, exploring the depth of a brilliant writer keen on delivering an impactful message. Reviews have been raving about the novel, so expect there to be a ton of emotions felt as you turn each page.
Published by: Simon & Schuster Canada
Imprint Publisher: Gallery/Scout Press
Publication date: January 27, 2026
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