Elle Cosimano Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/elle-cosimano/ All Things Nerdy Sat, 14 Mar 2026 01:15:00 +0000 en-AU hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.2 https://i0.wp.com/thenerddaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/cropped-Nerd-Daily-Logo-Favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&ssl=1 Elle Cosimano Archives | The Nerd Daily https://thenerddaily.com/tag/elle-cosimano/ 32 32 122026701 Review: Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle Cosimano https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-crosses-the-line-by-elle-cosimano/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-crosses-the-line-by-elle-cosimano/#respond Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=61996 After the events of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, Vero has been extradited to Maryland where she is on house arrest at her childhood home and being accused of stealing money from her former sorority’s treasury funds. Finlay and Javi are worried about Vero, so they decide to leave the kids with Detective Nick and head to Maryland for a visit. When they arrive, they discover that threatening messages have been arriving on Vero’s doorstep and that Vero is […]

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]]> After the events of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, Vero has been extradited to Maryland where she is on house arrest at her childhood home and being accused of stealing money from her former sorority’s treasury funds. Finlay and Javi are worried about Vero, so they decide to leave the kids with Detective Nick and head to Maryland for a visit. When they arrive, they discover that threatening messages have been arriving on Vero’s doorstep and that Vero is desperate to prove her innocence…but due to her fancy new ankle bracelet, she needs Finlay’s help to investigate. The partners-in-crime work on tracking down Vero’s ex-boyfriend, who could account for her whereabouts on the night that the money went missing, while trying to figure out who really took the money from Vero’s room in the sorority house.

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line is the sixth book in the Finlay Donovan series and picks up right where book five leaves off, so this series definitely needs to be read in order. Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line includes themes and topics like family and found family, parenting, secrets and lies, appearance versus reality, right versus wrong, race, economic class, gambling, money, threats, the legal system, and sorority life. The Finlay Donovan series to fans of cosy and comical mysteries like The Maid by Nita Prose, The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club by Gloria Chao, Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q Sutanto, and Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies by Catherine Mack.

I love how all of the Finlay Donovan books feature a gripping yet cosy mystery as well as romantic moments and laugh-out-loud shenanigans. Furthermore, the Finlay Donovan books are always engaging, fast-paced, and seemingly quick reads. The false accusations and warrant against Vero have been discussed in previous books, so I’m glad that this case was finally addressed, even though it maybe wasn’t as thrilling as some of Finlay and Vero’s other adventures. Without giving anything away, Finlay and Vero seem to be facing some major life changes at the end of Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line, so excited to see what new mischief this iconic duo gets up to in book seven!

On the downside, we didn’t get to see a lot of swoony Detective Nick or Finlay’s hilariously cute kids in this book since they stay in Virginia while Finlay and Vero are in Maryland, but hopefully we will get to see them more in book seven. I also thought that, in comparison to other books in the Finlay Donovan series, the plot in this book was a little more predictable and tamer, but still enjoyable.

The Finlay Donovan series remains my all-time favourite mystery series, and I can’t wait to see what Vero and Finlay get up to in the next installment. I highly recommend this series to fans of cosy yet suspenseful mysteries with hints of romance and hilarity (again, if you are new to this series, you should start with book one, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It).

Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 17th 2026.

Will you be picking up Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis

From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line―the highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.

Life hasn’t been easy for Finlay Donovan lately, but it just got a whole lot harder. Her nanny and partner-in-crime, Vero, has been extradited from Virginia to Maryland, where she’s facing criminal charges for a theft she swears she didn’t commit. A prisoner to an ankle bracelet as she awaits her trial, Vero is forced to live with her overbearing mother and nosy aunt. Threatening messages keep arriving on her mother’s door, demanding Vero “turn over the money . . . or else.” And if she doesn’t figure out who really stole her former sorority’s treasury funds, her next home might be a prison cell.

But proving her innocence might be an impossible feat. Vero was the treasurer of her sorority when the money went missing―one of the only people who had access to the cash. And her alibi is a date who ghosted her. With her court date quickly approaching, and her mysterious stalker on her tail, Vero needs to clear her name fast.

Finlay decides a trip to Maryland is in order. After all, Vero stood by her through her darkest moments, and Finlay will be damned if she lets her best friend and children’s nanny be convicted for something she didn’t do. She sets off on a mission to suss out the real thief and bring Vero home.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-crosses-the-line-by-elle-cosimano/feed/ 0 61996 Fiction Book Releases To Check Out In 2026 https://thenerddaily.com/2026-fiction-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/2026-fiction-book-releases/#respond Sat, 10 Jan 2026 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=60920 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! Get ready to look forward to some great fiction book releases in 2026! We’ve rounded up just a few fiction books releasing between January and June from thrillers and historical fiction, to stories of friendship and family, and more. With new releases from Jennifer Niven, […]

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]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article and are invested back into The Nerd Daily, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Get ready to look forward to some great fiction book releases in 2026! We’ve rounded up just a few fiction books releasing between January and June from thrillers and historical fiction, to stories of friendship and family, and more. With new releases from Jennifer Niven, Simone St. James, Claire Heywood, Catriona Ward, CG Drews, Natalie Haynes, Megan Lally, Xochitl Gonzalez, Emma Straub, Kylie Lee Baker, Nick Cutter, Catherine Adel West, Jennifer Saint, Rob Hart, and more, plus debut novels, you’ll be sure to find quite a few exciting new reads within this list!

Be sure to check out our other 2026 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy and Sci-Fi, and Young Adult lists!

JANUARY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Meet the Newmans by Jennifer Niven

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Funny, big-hearted, and deeply moving, Meet the Newmans is a rich family story about the dual lives we lead. Because even when our lives aren’t televised weekly, we all have a behind-the-scenes.

Is This A Cry For Help? by Emily Austin

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A luminous new novel following a librarian who comes back to work after a mental breakdown only to confront book-banning crusaders in an empowering story of grief, love, and the power of libraries.

Women of a Promiscuous Nature by Donna Everhart

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Based on the long-buried history of the American Plan, this powerful and shockingly timely story of resistance and resilience exposes the real government program designed to regulate women’s bodies and sexuality throughout the first half of the 20th century.

Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
With sparkling wit and aching tenderness, debut author Rosie Storey gives us a modern love story about the courage it takes to live again after loss and finding hope in the most unexpected places.

Skylark by Paula McLain

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Wife weaves a mesmerizing tale of Paris above and below—where a woman’s quest for artistic freedom in 1664 intertwines with a doctor’s dangerous mission during the German occupation in the 1940s, revealing a story of courage and resistance that transcends time.

You’ll Never Forget Me by Isha Raya

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
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.

Burn Down Master’s House by Clay Cane

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Inspired by long-buried true stories of enslaved people who dared to fight back, this powerful novel offers a searing portrayal of resistance. 

The Midnight Carousel by Fiza Saeed McLynn

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Night Circus meets Water for Elephants in this enchanting, darkly glittering story of grief, obsession, revenge, and enduring love.

The Briars by Sarah Crouch

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The USA TODAY bestselling author of Middletide returns with a lush and atmospheric novel of suspense following a young woman whose job as a game warden puts her in the path of a murderer in a small town eager to protect its own.

Just Watch Me by Lior Torenberg

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Fleabag meets Big Swiss in this bold debut about a charismatic misfit who livestreams her life for seven days and nights to raise money to save her comatose sister—a poignant and darkly funny exploration of grief, forgiveness, and redemption.

A Box Full of Darkness by Simone St. James

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Simone St. James, the New York Times bestselling author of The Sun Down Motel, returns with her scariest, most shocking novel yet in this pulse-pounding story about siblings who return to the house they fled 18 years before, called back by the ghost of their long-missing brother and his haunting request: Come home.

The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
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.

FEBRUARY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The Exes by Leodora Darlington

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Who hasn’t wanted to murder an ex—figuratively, at least? In this explosive debut thriller, a woman’s seemingly perfect romantic life is on the verge of collapse as she uncovers a hidden history surfacing dark secrets that have deadly consequences.

A Crown of Stars by Shana Abe

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A sumptuously vivid and poignant account of the Lusitania’s fateful last days, drawn from the true story of an extraordinary young actress who survived the unthinkable—for fans of Marie Benedict, Louis Bayard, Fiona Davis, Kate Quinn, and HBO’s The Gilded Age.

The Wandering Queen by Claire Heywood

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An epic and fiercely imaginative retelling of the story of queen Dido, the legendary founder of Carthage, from the author of the national bestseller Daughters of Sparta.

Where the Wildflowers Grow by Terah Shelton Harris

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From acclaimed author Terah Shelton Harris comes a poignant story of survival and redemption that questions what it means to stop existing and start living.

The Fourth Princess by Janie Chang

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the internationally bestselling author of The Porcelain Moon comes a haunting Gothic novel set in 1911 China. Two young women living in a crumbling, once-grand Shanghai mansion face danger as secrets of their pasts come to light, even as the mansion’s own secret threatens the present.

Out of the Loop by Katie Siegel

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Seven Year Slip meets Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers in this wholly original time loop mystery.

Superfan by Jenny Tinghui Zhang

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From National Book Foundation 5 Under 35 honoree Jenny Tinghui Zhang, a novel about a pop idol and his superfan, whose stories shockingly collide

The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
When the last fare of the night turns up dead in her backseat, a Sri Lankan American taxi driver works off the clock to clear her name in this mystery novel by debut author Yosha Gunasekera.

Adrift by Will Dean

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A high-tension thriller about a family’s descent into darkness that is perfect for fans of Dennis Lehane and Lisa Jewell.

A Sociopath’s Guide to a Successful Marriage by MK Oliver

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A whip-smart and darkly funny crime novel—perfect for fans of My Sister, the Serial Killer and The Maid—that follows a wife and mother with a deadly secret that she must suppress if she wants to maintain her picture-perfect façade.

Bad Asians by Lillian Li

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the acclaimed author of Number One Chinese Restaurant comes an affecting novel about an unforgettable group of friends trying to make their way in the world without losing themselves, or one another.

Nowhere Burning by Catriona Ward

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Nowhere Burning is a harrowing tale of survival that places the dark fairy tale of Peter Pan and the ruthless dangers of Lord of the Flies into the unforgiving maw of the Colorado Rockies.

MARCH 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

No Friend To This House by Natalie Haynes

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
No Friend to This House is an extraordinary reimagining of the myth of Medea from the Sunday Times bestselling author of Stone Blind, Natalie Haynes.

Wretch by Eric LaRocca

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From rising horror star and award-winning author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke comes a nightmarish, haunting, tech-Gothic thrill ride about sorrow, memory, and the unabashed complexity of love as a transgressive act.

You Did Nothing Wrong by C.G. Drews

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Domestic suspense meets haunted house horror in this adult debut from the New York Times bestselling author of Don’t Let the Forest In.

Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the international bestselling author of The Drowning Woman, a psychological thriller about a couple rocked by infidelity who moves to a villa in Spain’s Costa Brava to rebuild their relationship, only to welcome a pair of visitors who have no intention of leaving.  

How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two sisters face the real consequences of a fake marriage scheme in an emotional yet hilarious novel about immigration, healing, and family from USA Today bestselling author Sonali Dev.

Bloom by Robbie Couch

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times bestselling author of If I See You Again Tomorrow comes a delightful and heartwarming novel about family, love, grief, and one precocious houseplant, that reminds us of the beauty of living a life in full Bloom.

Dig by J. H. Markert

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
J. H. Markert returns with a surreal horror novel, perfect for fans of Graveyard Shift and What Moves the Dead.

This Story Might Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Best friends Benny and Joy like to say they’ve been saving each other’s lives since the moment they met. Until the day Joy disappears and Benny is suspected of murder . . .

Turn Off the Light by Jacquie Walter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Two women living centuries apart are bound by the same dark secret in this haunting novel that “upends everything you think you know about ghost stories” (Jennifer McMahon, author of The Winter People).

Sweetbitter Song by Rosie Hewlett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Perfect for fans of The Song of Achilles and from the award-winning author of The Witch of Colchis comes a profoundly moving story of two women on the shores of Ithaca, in the shadows of a legendary war, who must face their own battle – one of sisterhood, survival, and a forbidden love that could destroy them both.

What We Did To Survive by Megan Lally

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A vacation in paradise turns deadly when four teens’ sailing charter hits stormy seas in this propulsive new thriller from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Megan Lally!

Finlay Donovan Crosses The Line by Elle Cosimano

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Crosses the Line—the highly anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.

APRIL 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
New York Times bestselling author Xochitl Gonzalez delivers a captivating story about a young woman whose life becomes ensnared in her glamorous neighbor’s secret past

A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Guncle meets Every Time I Go On Vacation Someone Dies in this fun, twisty mystery following a spoiled nepo baby forced to work at a struggling summer camp who stumbles into a real-life murder mystery he has no choice but to solve.

We Would Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A high-glamour, high-stakes thriller trailing three ambitious women as they navigate Hollywood’s secrets, sins, and scandals during 12 days at the Cannes Film Festival. 

American Fantasy by Emma Straub

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From New York Times bestselling author of This Time Tomorrow, an irresistible story about what happens when your teenage fantasy comes true after you’re already an adult.

The Girls Trip by Ally Condie

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the author of Reese’s Book Club Pick and instant USA Today bestseller The Unwedding, a novel of suspense and friendship about three friends who decide to disappear from their lives for a few days while on a trip to a national park—only to have one of them vanish.

The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Fans of Agatha Christie’s locked-room mysteries and modern tales like Knives Out will fall for The Ending Writes Itself, which masterfully blends classic mystery elements with genre-bending tropes. Crafted with razor-sharp wit and a meta twist, this satirical take on the publishing world ensures readers will hang on every word, right up to its breathtaking finale.

The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Come along with the Book Witch in this magical and inspiring love letter to reading from the USA Today bestselling author of The Wishing Game.

The Caretaker by Marcus Kliewer

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From Marcus Kliewer, a new “titan of the macabre and unsettling” (Erin A. Craig, #1 New York Times bestselling author), comes a supernatural horror about a young woman who accepts a caretaking job from Craigslist, only to discover the position has consequences far greater—and more dangerous—than she ever could have imagined.

Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
In this lyrical, wildly inventive horror novel interwoven with Japanese mythology, two people living centuries apart discover a door between their worlds.

The Island Club by Nicola Harrison

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Set against the sun-drenched beaches of Balboa Island, with its prim and proper 1950s facade, The Island Club is a story of love, loneliness and the lies we tell ourselves―and what can be gained when the truth is finally revealed.

Ms. Mebel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A nearly divorced trophy wife enrolls in culinary school to win back her husband, only to find a fresh start in the unlikeliest of places in this new novel from the USA Today bestselling author of Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers.

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The New York Times bestselling author of Where’d You Go, Bernadette returns to form in her most exuberant and life-affirming novel yet with the story of one woman’s cheerful determination to live a life of the mind only to have the heart force its way in.

MAY 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The Library After Dark by Ande Pliego

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A bookseller must escape the infamously haunted library that holds her darkest secrets, but with a murderer in her tour group, escaping alive is not as simple as it seems, in this twisty locked-room thriller from bestselling author of You Are Fatally Invited.

The Dorians by Nick Cutter

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The all-new novel of terror from “one of the hottest horror authors on the planet” (Paste) and writer of the #HorrorBookTok sensation The Troop!

Caller Unknown by Gillian McAllister

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
How far would you go to rescue your child? A mother races against the clock—and finds herself on the wrong side of the law—in a desperate fight to save her teenage daughter in this pulse-pounding thriller.

The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Calamity Club will make you laugh, cry, and cheer—an epic testament to underestimated women who know that calamity can be the spark of new beginnings. This is Kathryn Stockett at her most confident, heartfelt, and hilarious—the triumphant return of one of the most beloved storytellers of our time.

The Anniversary by Alex Finlay

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Twisty, high-concept, and emotionally charged, this novel is an utterly compelling story of the hunt for a serial killer. But it’s also a heartfelt―and heartrending―novel about fate, innocence lost, and two souls who find that sometimes being broken is the only way for the light to get in. 

The Young Will Remember by Eve J. Chung

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A sweeping novel about a correspondent trapped behind enemy lines during the Korean War, and the women who help her find her way home, from the national bestselling author of Daughters of Shandong.

Villain by Natalie Zina Walschots

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The Boys meets Assistant to the Villain in the electrifying, sharp, violent, and hilarious sequel to the highly acclaimed novel, Hench. Filled with a queer and neurodiverse cast, Villain asks the question: what happens when a diabolically brilliant henchperson looks back at their already storied career and thinks, I can be so much worse.

The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From the New York Times–bestselling author of Ghosted and The Love of My Life comes an unmissable emotional thriller: an up-all-night, page-turning love story with a very dark secret at its heart.

Homebound by Portia Elan

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Five interlocking lives. One beloved story. A dazzling adventure across centuries and continents in search of the things that hold us together.

Lady X by Molly Fader

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The search for a notorious vigilante exposes the secrets among three generations of women in this propulsive novel of female resistance and rage, sweeping from contemporary L.A. to gritty 1970s New York.

The Hope Keeper by Heather Webb

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Set in Jazz Age D.C., the story of possession and obsession, and the ever-looming curse of the legendary Hope Diamond, comes to life as the socialites scheme and the jewels glitter in the evening light. 

The Players Club by Rachel Mills

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
For fans of Lessons in Chemistry and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine, a bold, big concept debut about a secret club of women who risk everything to ask the question: If you could be anyone…who would you dare to become?

JUNE 2026 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Tell Your Friends by Lauren Wilson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A former child star and an envious fan collide in this cat-and-mouse psychological thriller about obsession, self-invention, and the dark side of internet fame.

There’s Only One Sin In Hollywood by Rasheed Newson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A cinematic, razor-sharp novel following a backlot fixer’s daring investigation into the suspicious death of a closeted Black actor within the glamorous world of Hollywood, from the bestselling author of My Government Means to Kill Me.

A Pair of Aces by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A gripping novel about two trailblazing women on opposite sides of the law—a prosecutor and a madam—who team up to bring down notorious mob boss Lucky Luciano in 1930s New York, from the New York Times bestselling authors of the million-copy bestseller The Personal Librarian.

Strangers Behind Closed Doors by Catherine Adel West

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A twisty thriller about a woman who vanishes from a luxury hotel, and the detective who believes the case is tied to the unsolved disappearances of other Black women in the city.

The Break-Up Retreat by Camilla Sten

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An undercover journalist goes to expose an exclusive psychological wellness clinic where women go to recover from heartbreak, with dire consequences, in this creepy thriller from The Bachelorette Party author Camilla Sten.

A Fortune of Sand by Ruta Sepetys

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The daughter of an automotive magnate escapes to an artistic retreat that holds more secrets—and more intrigue—than she could have ever imagined, in this Prohibition-era novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea.

Girl’s Girl by Sonia Feldman

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
From a dazzling new talent, a sensual and spellbinding novel about one summer that shatters the balance between three best friends, forcing them to confront the line between friendship and desire.

This Immortal Heart by Jennifer Saint

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
The epic, captivating tale of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, who must reconcile her mind and heart when she is drawn against all odds to Ares, the god of war, from the internationally bestselling author of Ariadne and Hera.

Our Sister’s Keeper by Jasmine Holmes

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
A gripping blend of historical fiction and Southern gothic psychological horror, Our Sister’s Keeper is a fierce exploration of Black sisterhood, rage, and resistance.

Three Hitmen and a Baby by Rob Hart

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Welcome back to Assassins Anonymous, where family is everything and danger lurks around every corner.

Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Bestselling young adult author Mary H.K. Choi debuts a brilliantly observed adult novel about mothers, daughters and the complexity of family set against the backdrop of Hollywood.

The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson

Publisher | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Bookshop.org | Goodreads
An ambitious young woman insinuates herself into a tight-knit social set, shaking up friendships and marriages in a small seaside town.

What 2026 fiction book releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Fiction Book Releases To Check Out In 2026 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> https://thenerddaily.com/2026-fiction-book-releases/feed/ 0 60920 Q&A: Elle Cosimano, Author of ‘Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave’ https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-author-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-author-interview/#respond Mon, 17 Mar 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=56066 We chat with author Elle Cosimano about Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, the newest installment in the Finlay Donovan series! Finlay and Vero are shocked to find out that a dead body has been uncovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard and although she is quickly absolved, she decides that she needs to stay at Finlay’s house until the killer is caught. Things get dire when the police start looking at Finlay’s ex-husband for the crime… Read on to find Elle […]

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]]> We chat with author Elle Cosimano about Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, the newest installment in the Finlay Donovan series! Finlay and Vero are shocked to find out that a dead body has been uncovered in Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard and although she is quickly absolved, she decides that she needs to stay at Finlay’s house until the killer is caught. Things get dire when the police start looking at Finlay’s ex-husband for the crime… Read on to find Elle discussing inspiration, future releases, and all things Finlay Donovan!

Hi Elle, thank you so much for chatting with us! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Hi Andrea and TND! Thanks for having me. I’ve been writing books for adults and young adults—mostly mysteries and thrillers—for more than a decade. Prior to that, I worked in real estate for many years. I have two grown sons, two adorable dogs, and my husband and I currently reside in Virginia.

If you could describe Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave in five words, what would they be?

WOW! That’s a tall order. Let’s go with a hilarious, romantic, and thrilling murder-y mash-up.

What sets Finlay Donovan series apart from other mystery novels?

As you might have guessed from my five word description, the Finlay Donovan novels are true genre-benders. They don’t fit cleanly in just one category; instead, they successfully combine elements of many. The Finlay books balance dark humor, physical comedy, amateur sleuth mystery, and edge of your seat thrills with a dash of romance. They really do have something for everyone. These are the kinds of books you can recommend to just about reader (and even self-proclaimed non-readers!) and feel confident they’ll find something to love within the pages.

I love reading about all the wild adventures that Finlay and Vero get up to! Where or who does your inspiration for the Finlay Donovan books come from?

I find inspiration everywhere, and especially in my own life. While the adventures may be wild, Finlay Donovan herself is a deeply relatable and realistic character. She’s a struggling author and a mother of two young children, and I have a lot of personal experience to draw from when it comes to juggling a creative career alongside the stresses of motherhood. It’s easy for me to slide into her head and imagine, what would Finlay do?

Did you have a favourite scene or chapter in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave that you really enjoyed working on?

As with all the Finlay books, the stories balance a rompy murder mystery with humor and heart, so it should come as no surprise that I’m torn when considering my answer to this. So I’m going to cheat and say I especially loved two particular scenes in this book: one involving a chaotic bit of amateur sleuthing in which Finlay infiltrates a book club meeting to recover a stolen plate of brownies, and another in which we see Finlay and her detective boyfriend, Nick, take a significant emotional risk in their relationship with an unforgettable payoff. What makes these books work so beautifully is that balance between comedy and heart.

Were there any challenges you faced whilst writing?

The biggest challenge I face with each new book is the pressure I put on myself to make it better than the last, to fulfill the expectations and wishes of every reader, which is (of course) and impossible, Herculean task. As our fan base grows, so does the internal need to satisfy them. That internal pressure can be paralyzing. When I was writing Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, I had to turn off all those external voices—the readers, librarians, booksellers, editors, trade reviewers, influencers—and remember to tell the story I wanted to tell. I had to remember to trust myself. And go figure . . .  once I did that, the story turned out better than I could ever imagine.

I think that it would be amazing to see Finlay and Vero on the big or small screen! Do you have any dream castings or a vision for it if the Finlay Donovan books were to be adapted?

There are so many talented actors who could bring their own unique voices to these roles. It’s easy for me to imagine quite a few of them! It’s actually more fun for me to hear who my readers would love to see on the small screen. As for me, I try to leave myself open to all the possibilities when it comes to casting the show. The TV rights have been optioned by a phenomenal studio and an incredible producer, and I trust that they will turn it into something extraordinarily special. I can’t wait until we can share more news about that. Hopefully Finlay fans won’t have to wait too much longer before we can share some news.

Readers get a little sneak peak at what Finlay and Vero will be dealing with in book six at the end of Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave…Can you tease anything else about Finlay Donovan or another upcoming release?

I am a spoiler-free zone! I don’t want to ruin my readers’ experiences, and they all know that I’m going to drop that bomb on them on the very last page, to keep them on the hook for the next one. That said, I can tell you that we are under contract for at least two more books in the Finlay Donovan universe, so readers have a lot more adventures in store!

Lastly, what are some new releases that you are looking forward to?

I’m excited for Colleen Oakley’s Jane and Dan at the End of the World, Hannah Morrissey’s The Unlucky Ones (next in her Black Harbor series), and Jesse Q. Sutanto’s next installment in her Vera Wong mystery series, Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man)!

Will you be picking up Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-author-interview/feed/ 0 56066 Review: Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-by-elle-cosimano/ https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-by-elle-cosimano/#respond Thu, 20 Feb 2025 22:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=55592 After returning from Atlantic City, Finlay and her nanny/partner in crime Vero are shocked to find out that a dead body has been uncovered in their elderly neighbour Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard after a flood. Even though Mrs. Haggerty is quickly absolved, she is unable to return home until the flood damage is repaired and she decides that the best place to stay is Finlay’s house across the street, much to Finlay and Vero’s dismay. Things get dire when the police […]

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]]> After returning from Atlantic City, Finlay and her nanny/partner in crime Vero are shocked to find out that a dead body has been uncovered in their elderly neighbour Mrs. Haggerty’s backyard after a flood. Even though Mrs. Haggerty is quickly absolved, she is unable to return home until the flood damage is repaired and she decides that the best place to stay is Finlay’s house across the street, much to Finlay and Vero’s dismay. Things get dire when the police start looking at Steven, Finlay’s ex-husband and the father of her kids, for the crime. Can Finlay and Vero help Finlay’s boyfriend Detective Nick Anthony find the real murderer without implicating themselves in the process?

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is a light-hearted and comedic mystery thriller with romantic elements, making it perfect for fans of shows like Only Murders in the Building and fans of books by Holly Jackson, Lucy Score, Ally Carter, or Christina Lauren. Throughout the book, it deals with themes and topics like marriage and infidelity, abuse, trust (or lack there of), secrets and lies, fact versus fiction, wrong versus right, family, parenthood, crime and punishment, appearance versus reality, and female friendships.

This is the fifth installment in the Finlay Donovan series and even though each book deals with a new case, plotlines definitely connect and continue on throughout the series, so readers will need to have read previous books the series before picking up this newest installment.

I love the Finlay Donovan books—I picked up one of the books at a little free library this past summer on a whim and ended up devouring the series! Mysteries and thrillers usually aren’t usually my thing, but the Finlay Donovan books are so cosy, entertaining, gripping, and laugh-out-loud funny, and book five is definitely no exception. Also, as someone who is new to mysteries and thrillers, I appreciate that the Finlay Donovan books are always light-hearted and fun, along with being suspenseful and have intriguing twists, but never scary.

Mrs. Haggerty wasn’t really my favourite character in the first four books, so I wasn’t sure how to feel about her playing a bigger role in Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave, but it was great to see a different side to Mrs. Haggerty; one that has some unexpected similarities to Finlay. There are also some super cute and comical moments between Mrs. Haggerty and Finlay’s children (one of which is suspended from preschool and the other who is struggling with potty-training) and Cameron (the young computer hacker who helps with Finlay’s tech needs in exchange for homecooked meals).

If I had to list a downside, I have to say that the romance was a little lacking in comparison to the other Finlay Donovan books. I was disappointed that we didn’t get to see a lot of Vero and Javi’s “newlywed” relationship. Also, since Finlay is still hiding her criminal involvement from Nick and is preoccupied with Mrs. Haggerty for a good portion of this book, we didn’t get to see a lot of Finlay and Nick’s romance either. That said, the romance that we did get was still swoony and remain hopeful that we will get to see more of Vero and Javi’s and Finlay and Nick’s budding relationships in book six.

Overall, I’m loving the Finlay Donovan series and would highly recommend it to readers looking for lots of laughs, swoony love interests, “ride or die” female friendships, and page-turning mysteries. I also think that book one, Finlay Donovan is Killing It, would be a great starting point for readers looking to try out the mystery genre. I can’t wait to see what Finlay and Vero get up to in book six!

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of March 4th 2025.

Will you be picking up Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave? Tell us in the comments below!

Synopsis | Goodreads

From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave—the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Finlay Donovan may have skeletons in her closet . . . but at least there’s not a body in her backyard.

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime, Vero, have not always gotten along with Finlay’s elderly neighbor, Mrs. Haggerty, the community busybody and president of the neighborhood watch. But when a dead body is discovered in her backyard, Mrs. Haggerty needs their help. At first a suspect, Mrs. Haggerty is cleared by the police, but her house remains an active crime scene. She has nowhere to go . . . except Finlay’s house, right across the street.

Finlay and Vero have no interest in getting involved in another murder case—or sacrificing either of their bedrooms. After all, they’ve dealt with enough murders over the last four months to last a lifetime and they both would much rather share their beds with someone else.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/review-finlay-donovan-digs-her-own-grave-by-elle-cosimano/feed/ 0 55592 Fiction Book Releases To Check Out In 2025 https://thenerddaily.com/2025-january-to-june-fiction-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/2025-january-to-june-fiction-book-releases/#respond Thu, 02 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=54552 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! Get ready to look forward to some great fiction book releases in 2025! We’ve rounded up just a few fiction books releasing between January and June from thrillers and historical fiction, to stories of friendship and family, and more. With releases from Megan Collins, Scott Turow, Kate Alice Marshall, Jojo Moyes, Elle Cosimano, […]

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]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

Get ready to look forward to some great fiction book releases in 2025! We’ve rounded up just a few fiction books releasing between January and June from thrillers and historical fiction, to stories of friendship and family, and more. With releases from Megan Collins, Scott Turow, Kate Alice Marshall, Jojo Moyes, Elle Cosimano, Stephen Graham Jones, Alex North, Fredrik Backman, Maggie Stiefvater, and many more, plus those making their debut.

Read on to discover new books hitting shelves in the first half of the year and be sure to check out our other 2025 round-ups too, including our Most Anticipated, Romance, Fantasy & Sci-Fi and Young Adult lists.

JANUARY 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Old Soul by Susan Barker

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The Historian meets Under the Skin in this searingly provocative literary horror novel about one woman’s determination to stay alive at any terrifying cost.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis

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From New York Times bestselling author Fiona Davis, an utterly addictive new novel that will transport you from New York City’s most glamorous party to the labyrinth streets of Cairo and back.

A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay

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Two former serial killers trying to keep their past buried realize that old habits die hard in this “wildly original, razor-sharp thriller” (Chris Whitaker, New York Times bestselling author of All the Colors of the Dark).

Tell Me What You Did by Carter Wilson

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From the USA Today bestselling author of The Dead Girl in 2A and The New Neighbor comes a chilling new thriller that forces the question: are murderers always the bad guys?

The Inheritance by Trisha Sakhlecha

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A billionaire is primed to announce the succession plan for his company to his family at a lavish reunion, but at least one person won’t make it through the week alive. . . Most family reunions end in tears. This one will end in murder. 

Head Cases by John McMahon

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Head Cases follows an enigmatic group of FBI agents as they hunt down a murderer seeking his own justice in this electrifying―and commercial―series debut.

We Rip the World Apart by Charlene Carr

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Weaving the women’s stories across multiple timelines, We Rip the World Apart reveals the ways that simple choices, made in the heat of the moment and with the best of intentions, can have deep and lasting repercussions―especially when people stay silent.

The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets First Lie Wins in this electric, voice-driven debut novel about an elusive bestselling author who decides to finally confess her true identity after years of hiding from her past.

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

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She has his wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature “taut, emotionally charged, and propulsive” (Jeneva Rose, New York Times bestselling author) prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin

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A moving story about two very different sisters, and a love letter to childhood, growing up, and the power of imagination—from the bestselling author of Everyone in This Room Will Someday Be Dead and Interesting Facts About Space.

Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow

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New from the author of Presumed Innocent, the #1 bestseller that redefined the legal thriller and is the basis for Apple TV+’s most-watched drama series ever.

The Crash by Freida McFadden

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A gut-wrenching story of motherhood, survival, and twisted expectations, #1 New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden delivers a snowbound thriller that will chill you to the bone.

FEBRUARY 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

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A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret―and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

Junie by Erin Crosby Eckstine

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A young girl must face a life-altering decision after awakening her sister’s ghost, navigating truths about love, friendship, and power as the Civil War looms.

Maya & Natasha by Elyse Durham

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This stunning debut novel set in the fascinating world of Cold War Soviet ballet follows the fates of twin sisters whose bond is competitive, complicated, but never broken.

The Garden by Nick Newman

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An eerie, hypnotic, darkly beautiful novel about two elderly sisters living alone at the edge of the world and how their lives unravel when their sanctum is breached, for fans of Piranesi and The Testaments.

The Lamb by Lucy Rose

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From an incendiary new talent, a contemporary queer folktale about a mother and daughter living in the woods, for fans of Angela Carter, Margaret Atwood, and Julia Armfield.

Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff

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A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace and a woman’s quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival, from New York Times bestselling author Pam Jenoff.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

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The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family.

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

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She found the literary voices that would inspire the world…. The extraordinary story of the woman who ignited the Harlem Renaissance, written by Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian.

You Are Fatally Invited by Ande Pliego

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An exclusive thriller writer’s retreat hosted on a private island turns lethal when one of the authors is found murdered.

The Lost Passenger by Frances Quinn

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An immersive historical drama about a young mother who starts a new life with her son in New York after faking their deaths on the Titanic—the U.S. debut of acclaimed British novelist Frances Quinn.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler

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A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: a socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter’s wedding.

Isola by Allegra Goodman

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A young woman and her lover are marooned on an island in this breathtaking saga, an epic story of love, faith, and defiance from the bestselling author of Sam

MARCH 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The King’s Messenger by Susanna Kearsley

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New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author Susanna Kearsley explores romance, court alliances, and the limits of one’s duty in this rich story of an honorable man in service to a treacherous king, and the mission that brings him to love and his true calling.

Broken Country by Clare Hall

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A sweeping love story with the pace and twists of a thriller, Broken Country is a novel of simmering passion, impossible choices, and explosive consequences that toggles between the past and present to explore the far-reaching legacy of first love.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

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Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

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From the national bestselling author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Midnight is the Darkest Hour comes a chilling, compulsive story of five amateur sleuths, whose hunt for an elusive killer catapults them into danger as the world watches.

The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry

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Inspired by a true literary mystery, New York Times bestselling author of the mesmerizing The Secret Book of Flora Lea returns with the sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter’s search for them both.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave―the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

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A novel of breathtaking twists, dizzying beauty, and ferocious love, Wild Dark Shore is about the impossible choices we make to protect the people we love, even as the world around us disappears.

Count My Lies by Sophie Stava

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A read-in-one-night suspense thriller narrated by a compulsive liar whose little white lies allow her to enter into the life and comfort of a wealthy married couple who are harboring much darker secrets themselves. For the millions of us still chasing those gone girls, this is perfect for fans of Lisa Jewell, Lucy Foley, and Laura Dave.

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

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A chilling historical horror novel set in the American west in 1912 following a Lutheran priest who transcribes the life of a vampire who haunts the fields of the Blackfeet reservation looking for justice.

Retreat by Krysten Ritter

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A beautiful con artist insinuates herself into a wealthy socialite’s life . . . with deadly consequences, in this serpentine thriller about identity and obsession, from actress, director and bestselling author Krysten Ritter.

Dissolution by Nicholas Binge

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A woman dives into her husband’s memories to uncover a decades-old feud threatening reality itself in this staggering technothriller from the bestselling author of Ascension.

Early Thirties by Josh Duboff

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A hilarious and painfully relatable debut novel about two thirtysomething best friends’ messy search for connection and love in New York, perfect for fans of Rebecca Serle, Gabrielle Zevin, and Dolly Alderton.

APRIL 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

The French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau

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The Paris Apartment meets A Simple Favor in an unputdownable thriller about a honeymoon gone horribly wrong.

Coram House by Bailey Seybolt

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Sharp Objects meets I Have Some Questions for You in this haunting novel—inspired by a true story—about a crime writer who risks everything as she investigates the mystery of two deaths, decades apart, at a crumbling Vermont orphanage.

Passion Project by London Sperry

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A compassionate and hopeful romantic comedy, Passion Project is a reminder that love is waiting for us to let it in.

Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

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A woman learns the astonishing truth of her family’s ties to a vanished American Kingdom in this riveting new novel from the New York Times bestselling, NAACP Image Award-winning author of Take My Hand.

Bad Nature by Ariel Courage

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Armed with a terminal diagnosis, a grudge, and a rental car, Hester sets out to fulfill her lifelong dream of killing her father in this brilliantly subversive and bleakly funny debut novel.

What If I Never Get Over You by Paige Toon

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One Day meets a contemporary Bridgerton in this high-drama, escapist wonder of a love story, Paige Toon’s best yet.

A Town with Half the Lights On by Page Getz

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For readers of J. Ryan Stradal and The Music of Bees (with a dash of FX’s The Bear) comes a quirky and refreshing epistolary novel about family of culture-shocked Brooklynites transplanted to Goodnight, Kansas and their fight for their unexpected lifeline: the legendary May Day Diner.

The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

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One family. Four generations. A secret son. A devastating addiction. A Texas family is met with losses and surprises of inheritance, but they’re unable to shake the pull back toward each other in this big-hearted family saga perfect for readers of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo.

Bearer of Bad News by Elisabeth Dini

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A sharply funny and moving debut in which a young woman accepts a job that takes her though the Italian Dolomites and into an international mystery far greater—and more personal—than she could have ever expected.

The Strange Case of Jane O. by Karen Thompson Walker

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In this spellbinding and provocative novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Age of Miracles, a young mother is struck by sudden and puzzling psychological symptoms that illuminate the mysterious dimensions of the human mind—and of love.

The Murder Show by Matt Goldman

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The Murder Show is a pulse-racing novel about secrets, old friends, and how the past never leaves us by New York Times bestselling and Emmy Award winning author Matt Goldman.

The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner

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Powerful witchcraft. A hunt for sunken treasure. Forbidden love on the high seas. Beware the Amalfi Curse…

MAY 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

Austen At Sea by Natalie Jenner

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Two pairs of siblings, devotees of Jane Austen, find their lives transformed by a visit to England and Sir Francis Austen, her last surviving brother and keeper of a long-suppressed, secret legacy.

All the Mothers by Domenica Ruta

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From New York Times bestselling author Domenica Ruta comes a heartfelt, hilarious novel about a single mom reimagining what the perfect family can look like.

Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris

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A captivating tale of resilience and hope, The Girls of Good Fortune explores the complexity of family and identity, the importance of stories that echo through generations, and the power of strength found beneath the surface.

The Retirement Plan by Sue Hincenbergs

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Three middle-aged best friends turn to murder in order to collect on their husbands’ life insurance policies…but are unaware that their husbands have a devious plan of their own, in this darkly funny debut—perfect for fans of The Thursday Murder Club and Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone.

The Manor of Dreams by Christina Li

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Mexican Gothic meets The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo in Christina Li’s haunting novel about the secrets that lie in wait in the crumbling mansion of a former Hollywood starlet, and the intertwined fates of the two Chinese American families fighting to inherit it.

Aftertaste by Daria Lavelle

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What if you could have one last meal with someone you’ve loved, someone you’ve lost? Combining the magic of Under the Whispering Door with the high-stakes culinary world of Sweetbitter, Aftertaste is an epic love story, a dark comedy, and a synesthetic adventure through food and grief.

The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers

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Two women haunted by their sisters’ unsolved disappearances band together in this captivating mystery from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of All Good People Here and host of the #1 true crime podcast Crime Junkie.

Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang

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From the author of Natural Beauty, set in the fiercely competitive art world, a novel about an obsessive friendship upended by a cutting-edge technology purported to enhance empathy and connection

My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

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In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The Wind Knows My Name, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North

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With his signature shock and suspense, Alex North brings us The Man Made of Smoke. In turn emotional, introspective, and utterly terrifying, this is a story of fathers and sons, shadows and secrets, and the fight we all face to escape the trauma of the past.

Slaying You by Michelle Gagnon

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A wildly funny thriller about reluctant partners who hit the danger jackpot when they discover that a serial killer is on their heels . . . again.

The Night Birds by Christopher Golden

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The next gripping, atmospheric horror novel from New York Times bestselling author Christopher Golden, set in a deteriorated, half-sunken freighter ship off the coast of Galveston, TX.

JUNE 2025 FICTION BOOK RELEASES

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell

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From #1 New York Times bestseller Lisa Jewell, an author “at the very top of her game” (Lucy Foley)—three women are connected by one man in this kaleidoscopic thriller.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Maggie Stiefvater dazzles in this mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril.

A Language of Limbs by Dylin Hardcastle

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A beautifully inventive, tender novel—the author’s first to be published in the U.S.—following two lives as they almost intersect over three heartbreaking yet euphoric decades

The Accidental Favorite by Fran Littlewood

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Amazing Grace Adams comes a wryly resonant and deeply moving family dramedy investigating the question so many of us have asked ourselves: do my parents have a favorite?

The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel

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Kristin Harmel, the New York Times bestselling author who “is the best there is at sweeping historical drama” (Kelly Harms, author of The Seven Day Switch), returns with an electrifying new novel about two jewel thieves, a priceless bracelet that disappears in 1940s Paris, and a quest for answers in a decades-old murder.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

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Scream meets The Guest List in this wickedly compelling and compulsively page-turning thriller of friendship and murder from the author of The Lost Village, Camilla Sten.

Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight

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There are no female publishing CEOs in 1960’s New York. And that is exactly what savvy, ambitious Bernadette Swift plans to change.

Tell Me Something Good by Court Stevens

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This is a story of the rich and the very poor. This is a story of an illegal auction with dire consequences. This is a story of murders past and present. This is a story of intertwined relationships and the silent ripples they leave behind, where love becomes a guiding force, revealing the lengths one will go to protect those they cherish.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

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A blistering literary suspense novel about a ghostwriter who is hired to write the last book for her estranged father and finds herself investigating the brutal murder of both his siblings in the summer of 1975.

The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison

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A hilarious and heartfelt novel about how loves and lives are never truly lost, for fans of Rebecca Serle and Taylor Jenkins Reid.

Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

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#1 NYT-bestselling YA author Renee Ahdieh’s adult debut novel, about a young lawyer who gets pulled in to manage a crisis with her firm’s biggest client, a family whose Korean beauty brand is worth a billion dollars, pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets Succession.

What releases are you looking forward to? Any other recommendations for us? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Fiction Book Releases To Check Out In 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> https://thenerddaily.com/2025-january-to-june-fiction-book-releases/feed/ 0 54552 Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025 https://thenerddaily.com/anticipated-book-releases-hitting-shelves-in-2025/ https://thenerddaily.com/anticipated-book-releases-hitting-shelves-in-2025/#comments Mon, 23 Dec 2024 17:00:07 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=54097 The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie! 2025?! How!? Nevertheless, the upside of a new year is all of the new books that will be hitting shelves! We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2025. You can expect new releases from the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid, […]

The post Anticipated Book Releases Hitting Shelves In 2025 appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> The Nerd Daily may obtain commissions for qualifying purchases from the links included in this article, but it’s so important to remember to shop local and indie!

2025?! How!? Nevertheless, the upside of a new year is all of the new books that will be hitting shelves! We’ve rounded up some highly anticipated  books from a range of genres releasing between the months of January and June 2025.

You can expect new releases from the likes of Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, Samantha Shannon, Richard Swan, Kate Alice Marshall, Tessa Bailey, Suzanne Collins, Chuck Wendig, Rachel Lynn Solomon, Christopher Golden, Becky Albertalli, Rebecca Yarros, VE Schwab, Maggie Stiefvater, Fredrik Backman, and so many more, plus many making their dazzling debuts!

You’ll find quite a few exciting new reads within this list and be sure to check out our other January to June 2025 lists, which we’ll be releasing over the next month! This article will also get updated with those links so you can easily find them… We apologise in advance to your TBR pile and wallet!

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’ll be picking up any!

JANUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

I Think They Love You by Julian Winters

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With his funny, big-hearted adult rom com debut, bestselling, award-winning YA author Julian Winters shows sometimes fake dating your ex can turn into a second chance.

Breath of the Dragon by Fonda Lee and Shannon Lee

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A young warrior dreams of proving his worth in the elite Guardian Tournament, fighting not only for himself but the fate of everything he loves.

Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

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She has his dead wife’s heart; the one she wants is his. The author of The Family Plot brings her signature prose to a twisty novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

Liar’s Kingdom by Christine Calella

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An Into the Woods-inspired fairy tale retelling where Cinderella never went to the ball and must lie to get her prince.

A Language of Dragons by S.F. Williamson

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In an alternate London in 1923, one girl accidentally breaks the tenuous truce between dragons and humans in this sweeping debut and epic retelling of Bletchley Park steeped in language, class, and forbidden romance. Perfect for teen fans of Fourth Wing and Babel.

Unromance by Erin Connor

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A recently dumped TV heartthrob enlists a jaded romance novelist to ruin romance for him—one rom-com trope at a time—so he never gets swept off his feet again . . .

The Rival by Emma Lord

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Rivals-to-lovers gets an academic send-up in this charming and irresistible romantic comedy from Emma Lord, New York Times bestselling author of Tweet Cute and Begin Again.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

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A group of young women in a home for unwed mothers in 1970s Florida who find a book to witchcraft—a guide which may just be the key to regaining their power or the source of their worst nightmares.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

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Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

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A twisty domestic thriller about an author who travels to a remote Scottish island to write his next book…only to run into a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife. 

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young

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In this captivating atmospheric novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Unmaking of June Farrow, a woman investigates her twin brother’s mysterious death while confronting the ghosts of her own haunted past.

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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Get ready to fly or die in the breathtaking follow-up to Fourth Wing and Iron Flame from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Yarros.

FEBRUARY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Hungerstone by Kat Dunn

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Set against the violent wilderness of the moors and the uncontrolled appetite of the industrial revolution, Hungerstone is a compulsive feminist reworking of Carmilla, the book that inspired Dracula: a captivating story of appetite and desire.

First-Time Caller by B.K. Borison

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A hopeless romantic meets a jaded radio host in this cozy, Sleepless in Seattle–inspired love story from beloved author B.K. Borison.

The Dark Mirror by Samantha Shannon

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The highly anticipated fifth novel in the New York Times bestselling Bone Season series-an epic and spellbinding fantasy from the author of The Priory of the Orange Tree.

A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall

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A woman invited to her wealthy fiance’s family retreat realizes they are hiding a terrible secret―and that she’s been there before, by the bestselling author of What Lies in the Woods.

Emily Wilde’s Compendium of Lost Tales by Heather Fawcett

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The third installment in the heartwarming and enchanting Emily Wilde series, about a curmudgeonly scholar of folklore and the fae prince she loves.

Famous Last Words by Gillian McAllister

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An addictive thriller about a new mother’s world upended when her husband commits a terrifying crime. How well does she truly know the man she loves? And what danger does she face if her entire life has been built on a lie?

Grave Empire by Richard Swan

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From critically acclaimed author Richard Swan, Grave Empire begins the epic tale of an empire on the verge of industrial revolution, where sorcery and arcane practices are outlawed – and where an ancient prophecy threatens the coming end of days.

Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey

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A steamy chance encounter between a professional hockey player and the manic pixie dream girl he just can’t seem to forget about takes a turn when the pair realize that their parents are engaged—in an all-new rom-com by #1 New York Times bestselling author Tessa Bailey.

The Otherwhere Post by Emily J. Taylor

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The New York Times bestselling author of Hotel Magnifique returns with another glittering dark fantasy about a deadly mystery that spans worlds and a teenage girl who must risk everything to uncover the truth.

Wooing The Witch Queen by Stephanie Burgis

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In a Gaslamp-lit world where hags and ogres lurk in thick pine forests, three magical queens form an uneasy alliance to protect their lands from invasion…and love turns their world upside down.

The Dollhouse Academy by Margarita Montimore

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With dark academia twists and enormous heart, The Dollhouse Academy is a novel about the complexities of friendship, our desire to be seen and understood, and the true cost of making our dreams a reality.

Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

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From New York Times-bestselling author Libba Bray comes an evocative and groundbreaking young adult historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

MARCH 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

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The phenomenal fifth book in the Hunger Games series. Sunrise on the Reaping revisits the world of Panem twenty-four years before the events of The Hunger Games, starting on the morning of the reaping of the Fiftieth Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.

Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue meets This is How You Lose The Time War in this fantastical love story that defies death as two souls reincarnate through the centuries.

A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander

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From the acclaimed author of Chef’s Kiss, a groundbreaking trans Regency romance that’s both delightfully witty and refreshingly iconoclastic.

Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave by Elle Cosimano

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From New York Times bestseller and Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano, comes Finlay Donovan Digs Her Own Grave―the hugely anticipated next installment in the fan-favorite Finlay Donovan series.

Fable for the End of the World by Ava Reid

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The Last of Us meets The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in this stand-alone dystopian romance about survival, sacrifice, and love that risks everything.

This Book Will Bury Me by Ashley Winstead

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From the national bestselling author of In My Dreams I Hold a Knife and Midnight is the Darkest Hour comes a chilling, compulsive story of five amateur sleuths, whose hunt for an elusive killer catapults them into danger as the world watches.

The Haunting of Room 904 by Erika T. Wurth

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From the author of White Horse comes a terrifying and resonant novel about a woman who uses her unique gift to learn the truth about her sister’s death.

The Hymn to Dionysus Natasha Pulley

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A timely reimagining of the story of Dionysus-Greek god of ecstasy, revelry, and ruin-and a captivating queer love story for readers of The Song of Achilles and Elektra.

Jane and Dan at the End of the World by Colleen Oakley

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Date night goes off the rails in this hilariously insightful take on midlife and marriage when one unhappy couple find themselves at the heart of a crime in progress, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise.

They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran

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The author of the New York Times bestselling horror phenomenon She Is a Haunting is back with a novel about the monsters that swim beneath us . . . and live within us.

All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman

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Hilarious and twisted, propulsive and furious, All the Other Mothers Hate Me is a mix of Catastrophe and Fleabag with a dash of Nancy Drew.

Code Word Romance by Carlie Walker

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One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.

APRIL 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry

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Two writers compete for the chance to tell the larger-than-life story of a woman with more than a couple of plot twists up her sleeve in this dazzling and sweeping new novel from Emily Henry.

Where Shadows Meet by Patrice Caldwell

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Set in the aftermath of a war between vampires, humans, and the gods that created them, Patrice Caldwell’s devastatingly romantic fantasy debut, Where Shadows Meet, centers the heart-wrenching pain of loss and the struggle of self-discovery to ask: do we choose our fates, or do our fates choose us?

The Notorious Virtues by Alwyn Hamilton

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Bestselling Rebel of the Sands author Alwyn Hamilton is back with a glittering fantasy thriller about a glamorous media darling, a surprise heiress, and the magical competition of a lifetime.

Their Monstrous Hearts by Yiğit Turhan

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A haunting novel about the boundaries people will cross to keep their dreams alive, perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic and Hereditary.

City of All Seasons by Oliver K. Langmead and Aliya Whiteley

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A vibrant and emotional science fantasy about cousins trapped in mirrored worlds – the resplendent and verdant summer city and the ice-carved wastes of the winter city. For fans of Every Heart a Doorway and This is How You Lose the Time War.

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

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From the National Book Award finalist and author of Pet comes a novel set in a magical West African world, about a teen girl who must save her missing twin while learning to navigate her own terrifying new powers.

The Staircase In The Woods by Chuck Wendig

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A group of friends investigates the mystery of a strange staircase in the woods in this mesmerizing horror novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Accidents.

The Folklore of Forever by Sarah Hogle

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From the acclaimed author of Old Flames and New Fortunes comes a steamy enemies-to-lovers romantasy about a paranormal skeptic who is roped into a ghost hunting romp by the charming boy next door . . . who might just show her what real fantasies are made of.

Don’t Sleep With The Dead by Nghi Vo

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From award-winning author Nghi Vo comes Don’t Sleep with the Dead, a standalone companion novella to The Chosen and the Beautiful, her acclaimed reimagining of The Great Gatsby.

Senseless by Ronald Malfi

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A page-turning, supernaturally-tinged LA puzzle-box thriller – Zodiac with teeth, from the Bram Stoker Award-nominated and bestselling author of Come with Me. Perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Lauren Beukes.

Rabbit Moon by Jennifer Haigh

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From the New York Times bestselling author of Mercy Street, a tense, propulsive family drama set in Shanghai, where a fractured American family faces its complicated past

Enchantra by Kaylie Smith

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Knives Out meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy stand-alone romantasy set in the same world as USA Today bestselling author Kaylie Smith’s BookTok sensation Phantasma! The print edition includes custom silver foiling on the cover.

MAY 2025 BOOK RELEASES

The Love Haters by Katherine Center

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Swim lessons, helicopter flights, conga lines, drinking contests, hurricanes, and stolen kisses ―along with chances to tell the truth, to face old fears, and to be truly brave at last.

Silver Elite by Dani Francis

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In the first book of a searing new dystopian trilogy, a young woman must conceal her psychic powers—and her attraction to her handsome, infuriating commanding officer—as she works undercover to take down a brutal government from within.

My Name Is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende

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In this spellbinding historical novel from the New York Times bestselling author of A Long Petal of the Sea and The Wind Knows My Name, a young writer journeys to South America to uncover the truth about her father—and herself.

Overgrowth by Mira Grant

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Invasion of the Body Snatchers meets Day of the Triffids in this full-on body horror/alien invasion apocalypse.

The Incandescent by Emily Tesh

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Naomi Novik’s Scholomance series meets Plain Bad Heroines in this sapphic dark academia fantasy by instant national and international bestselling author Emily Tesh, winner of the Hugo and World Fantasy Awards.

What Happens in Amsterdam by Rachel Lynn Solomon

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Falling in love with your husband is anything but convenient in this steamy romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Business or Pleasure.

Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler

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In this opposites attract romance for fans of Begin Again and Better Than the Movies, a fresh start doesn’t have to mean changing yourself.

The Night Birds by Christopher Golden

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The next gripping, atmospheric horror novel from NYT bestselling author Christopher Golden, set in a deteriorated, half-sunken freighter ship off the coast of Galveston, TX.

The Thrashers by Julie Soto

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A twisty thrill-ride of unforgettable drama and suspense that “encapsulates the vulnerability of adolescents playing adult games” (Ali Hazelwood) from USA Today bestselling author Julie Soto, The Thrashers will keep you up at night desperate to read just one more page.

The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig

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From NYT bestselling author Rachel Gillig comes the next big romantasy sensation, a gothic, mist-cloaked tale of a young prophetess who is forced on an impossible quest with the one infuriating knight whose future is beyond her sight. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout and Leigh Bardugo.

The Devils by Joe Abercrombie

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A brand-new epic fantasy from New York Times bestselling author Joe Abercrombie, featuring a notorious band of anti-heroes on a delightfully bloody and raucous journey

The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin by Alison Goodman

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In Regency England, the eccentric Colebrook sisters are amateur detectives who use their wits and invisibility as “old maids” to fight injustice in this delightful and fiercely feminist novel of mystery and adventure from New York Times bestselling author Alison Goodman.

JUNE 2025 BOOK RELEASES

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Six comes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program and the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits.

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by Victoria E. Schwab

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From V. E. Schwab, the No. 1 Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue: a new genre-defying, unforgettable novel to sink your teeth into.

The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater

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#1 New York Times bestselling novelist Maggie Stiefvater dazzles in this mesmerizing portrait of an irresistible heroine, an unlikely romance, and a hotel—and a world—in peril.

Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli

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The beautiful and heartwarming new romance from Becky Albertalli, best-selling author of Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda.

My Friends by Fredrik Backman

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#1 New York Times bestselling author Fredrik Backman returns with an unforgettably funny, deeply moving tale of four teenagers whose friendship creates a bond so powerful that it changes a complete stranger’s life twenty-five years later.

Park Avenue by Renée Ahdieh

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#1 NYT-bestselling YA author Renee Ahdieh’s adult debut novel, about a young lawyer who gets pulled in to manage a crisis with her firm’s biggest client, a family whose Korean beauty brand is worth a billion dollars, pitched as Crazy Rich Asians meets Succession.

Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston

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A hitmaking songwriter and a bitter musician share a startling and inexplicable connection that they’ll do anything to shake, in the next sparkling, magical book from Ashley Poston.

Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

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Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

He’s to Die For by Erin Dunn

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Brooklyn 99 meets The Charm Offensive in this sparkling romantic murder mystery: it’s murder cute in the first degree when a detective finds himself falling for the lead suspect in a career-making case.

The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark

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A blistering literary suspense novel about a ghostwriter who is hired to write the last book for her estranged father and finds herself investigating the brutal murder of both his siblings in the summer of 1975.

The Beautiful Maddening by Shea Ernshaw

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From #1 New York Times bestselling author Shea Ernshaw comes a haunting romantic contemporary fantasy about a teen navigating her family’s love curse that blooms with their enchanted tulips every year.

The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten

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Scream meets The Guest List in this wickedly compelling and compulsively page-turning thriller of friendship and murder from the author of The Lost Village, Camilla Sten.

What books are you looking forward to picking up in the first half of the year? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/anticipated-book-releases-hitting-shelves-in-2025/feed/ 1 54097 Read An Excerpt From ‘Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice’ by Elle Cosimano https://thenerddaily.com/finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-by-elle-cosimano-excerpt/ https://thenerddaily.com/finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-by-elle-cosimano-excerpt/#respond Fri, 08 Mar 2024 00:35:34 +0000 https://thenerddaily.com/?p=48975 From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice―the fiercely anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series. Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice by Elle Cosimano, which is out now. Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan […]

The post Read An Excerpt From ‘Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice’ by Elle Cosimano appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

]]> From New York Times bestseller Elle Cosimano comes Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice―the fiercely anticipated next installment in the beloved Finlay Donovan series.

Intrigued? Well read on to discover the synopsis and an excerpt from Finlay Donovan Rolls The Dice by Elle Cosimano, which is out now.

Finlay Donovan and her nanny/partner-in-crime Vero are in sore need of a girls’ weekend away. They plan a trip to Atlantic City, but odds are―seeing as it’s actually a cover story to negotiate a deal with a dangerous loan shark, save Vero’s childhood crush Javi, and hunt down a stolen car―it won’t be all fun and games. When Finlay’s ex-husband Steven and her mother insist on tagging along too, Finlay and Vero suddenly have a few too many meddlesome passengers along for the ride.

Within hours of arriving in their seedy casino hotel, it becomes clear their rescue mission is going to be a bust. Javi’s kidnapper, Marco, refuses to negotiate, demanding payment in full in exchange for Javi’s life. But that’s not all―he insists on knowing the whereabouts of his missing nephew, Ike, who mysteriously disappeared. Unable to confess what really happened to Ike, Finlay and Vero are forced to come up with a new plan: sleuth out the location of Javi and the Aston Martin, then steal them both back.

But when they sneak into the loan shark’s suite to search for clues, they find more than they bargained for―Marco’s already dead. They don’t have a clue who murdered him, only that they themselves have a very convincing motive. Then four members of the police department unexpectedly show up in town, also looking for Ike―and after Finlay’s night with hot cop Nick at the police academy, he’s a little too eager to keep her close to his side.

If Finlay can juggle a jealous ex-husband, two precocious kids, her mother’s marital issues, a decomposing loan shark, and find Vero’s missing boyfriend, she might get out of Atlantic City in one piece. But will she fold under the pressure and come clean about the things she’s done, or be forced to double down?

Prologue

“I can’t look,” I said, clapping a hand over my eyes. I had sworn to myself there would be no more dead bodies. Not that any of the other four had been my fault (at least, not entirely), but I already had enough blood on my hands to last a lifetime—or possibly four lifetimes in a state penitentiary—and I didn’t think I could stomach one more corpse. Especially not this one.

“Tell me when it’s over.” I clutched Vero’s arm with my other hand as we stood on the shoulder of a six-lane highway. A tractor trailer whipped past us, throwing a thick wave of exhaust at our faces. When my children’s nanny didn’t answer, I peeked at her sideways between my fingers. Her long, dark ponytail blew across her eyes and she scraped it away, her attention rapt on the traffic in front of us, her neatly plucked eyebrows pinched in concentration.

“What do you think?” my mother leaned toward her and asked, both of them staring intently at my ex-husband’s back. He toed the gravel beside the white line at the edge of the highway, knees loose, shoulders hunched, hands shaking out the last of his nerves as he prepared to make what was arguably the most stupid decision of his life. And believe me, that was saying something.

“I give him twenty to one,” Vero said.

My mother’s eyes went wide. “You think?”

“It’s really more like nineteen to one,” Vero said over the whine of a crotch rocket, “but I rounded up because I’m an optimist.”

My mother nodded, too, as if this all made sense to her.

“You two are betting on Steven’s life!” I shouted over the roar of a moving truck.

“We’re not betting,” Vero said. “We’re just calculating his odds of actually making it across—”

“And back,” my mother pointed out helpfully.

Vero smirked. “I’ve got to tell you, Finn. It doesn’t look good.”

“You two are not helping!”

“You’re right,” my mother said, touching the cross at her throat.

Vero nodded. “We should probably push him.”

“Have you both lost your minds? The children are watching!”

My mother held up a finger. “That’s an excellent point. I’ll go sit with the children and cover their eyes.”

“Both of you wait in the car with the children. I will handle this.” I turned Vero around by the shoulders, back toward my mother’s SUV. My daughter’s face was pressed against the back window, her little brother wriggling against the straps of his car seat to see where we had gone.

I had tried to convince Steven to keep driving. I’d insisted we could buy our son a new nap blanket at the next shopping mall we passed, but when Zach had pushed his threadbare blanket out the narrow gap in the open window of my mother’s Buick, wailing as it flew across oncoming windshields and under speeding tires until it finally came to rest, caught on a piece of rebar in the concrete barrier in the median like a battle-worn white flag, Steven had been behind the wheel and there’d been no stopping him.

Panic had pinged through me when he’d set his jaw and put his foot down on the gas. I’d pleaded with him from the third-row seat not to do it as he’d merged onto the next exit ramp and retraced our path to Zach’s blanket, but my arguments had been drowned out by Zach’s hiccuping wails as Steven had pulled over onto the shoulder of the highway and put the SUV in park.

I shooed Vero and my mother back to the SUV to sit with the children. Steven hardly noticed when I tapped on his shoulder and repeated his name. His gaze remained fixed on Zach’s woobie as he stood beside the white line and hiked up his pants. He leaped back as a mud-spattered pickup on monster tires screamed past him, a pair of steel truck nuts swinging from its hitch. Delia shouted out the window of the van, “You can do it, Daddy!”

Vero called out, “May the odds be ever in your favor.”

My mother gave him two thumbs up through the glass, and Zach cheered.

I grabbed Steven by the back of his puffy vest as he rolled up his sleeves. “This is insane! There’s a Walmart at the next exit. We can get Zach another blanket. I’ll rub some apple juice and car grime on it. He’ll never know the difference.”

“He doesn’t want another blanket. He wants that one,” Steven said, pointing across the highway. “And I’m going to get it for him.”

“What are you trying to prove?”

He whirled on me, hot breath steaming from his lips. “What am I trying to prove?” He gaped at me as if the answer should have been obvious. “I’ll tell you what I’m trying to prove! I’m . . .” Steven’s blue eyes grew suddenly wide, focused on something behind me. I turned, my spine going ramrod straight as a state trooper eased onto the shoulder of the highway behind us, rolling to stop a few yards away. I stole a backward glance at my mother’s SUV and saw Vero sink lower in her seat.

Steven frowned at the crisp uniform of the buzz-cut police officer who strode toward us.

“Car trouble?” the trooper asked, removing his sunglasses and tucking them into his coat.

Steven crossed his arms over his chest, his lips thinning as he was forced to meet the trooper’s gaze. “No trouble.”

The officer glanced at the Virginia license plate on the back of my mother’s vehicle. “Where are you folks headed?”

“Pennsylvania,” I supplied helpfully as Steven grunted, “New Jersey.” The officer’s brows knitted, and I rushed to add, “We’re taking the scenic route through West Virginia. A road trip . . . you know, sort of a family vacation.” I took Steven’s arm in mine, pinching him through his sleeve before he could utter a word about why we’d circumnavigated the entire state of Maryland to get here. “See, our son accidentally lost his blanket out of the window as we were driving. He’s two,” I explained, gesturing to the shredded fabric snapping in the wind at the edge of the median.

The trooper planted his hands on his belt, the sides of his jacket spreading around it, revealing his holster and his handcuffs as he squinted across the highway to see Zach’s woobie. “I sure hope your husband wasn’t planning on trying to retrieve it.”

“He’s not my husband,” I corrected.

Steven turned to me with a look of disgust. “Is it really necessary to point that out?”

“And of course he wouldn’t attempt to retrieve it,” I added with a stern look at him, “because that would be a completely idiotic thing to do.”

“Not to mention illegal,” the trooper said.

“Exactly! I was just telling him the same thing, but my ex—”

“Husband,” Steven interjected.

“—can be a little bullheaded when it comes to listening to me. I told him we should just buy another blanket.”

“You can’t just replace something like that!” Steven snapped at me. “Zach doesn’t want a new blanket! That one is comfortable. It’s familiar. It has history! But apparently, history doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“The blanket isn’t worth saving, Steven. Just let it go,” I said through my teeth.

“Our children believe it’s worth saving, and so do I!”

The trooper stepped in front of him as Steven pivoted toward the highway. “Put one foot over that line, sir, and we’re going to have a problem,” he said firmly. “I understand wanting to look like a hero for your kids, but they don’t want to see their father splattered all over the highway, and I’d sure hate to have to arrest you in front of them. Your family is better off if you just let it go.”

“Would it be such a crime to let him try?” Vero called through the open window. My mother clapped a hand over her mouth.

Steven’s jaw clenched. I tugged him toward my mother’s SUV before he could give the trooper one more reason to arrest him. “Thank you for stopping to check on us, Officer. It was very kind of you. We’ll just be going.” We had a woobie to replace. Oh, and a stolen car to find, a boyfriend to rescue, a mob boss to avoid, and a painfully long road to Atlantic City still ahead of us.

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/finlay-donovan-rolls-the-dice-by-elle-cosimano-excerpt/feed/ 0 48975 February 2021 Book Releases https://thenerddaily.com/february-2021-book-releases/ https://thenerddaily.com/february-2021-book-releases/#respond Sun, 31 Jan 2021 17:00:12 +0000 https://www.thenerddaily.com/?p=31782 Who knows where January went because somehow we already find ourselves in February! Keeping us somewhat sane is the fact that there are some greatly anticipated 2021 releases coming out this month, including Sarah Gailey’s The Echo Wife, Courtney Summers’ The Project, Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, and Sarah J. Maas’ new instalment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series! On top of that, there’s some exciting debuts, mysteries, romances, diverse reads, and so much more all heading our way! Fat Chance, Charlie […]

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]]> Who knows where January went because somehow we already find ourselves in February! Keeping us somewhat sane is the fact that there are some greatly anticipated 2021 releases coming out this month, including Sarah Gailey’s The Echo Wife, Courtney Summers’ The Project, Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, and Sarah J. Maas’ new instalment in the A Court of Thorns and Roses series! On top of that, there’s some exciting debuts, mysteries, romances, diverse reads, and so much more all heading our way!

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

The Project by Courtney Summers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit, Sadie, comes a sensational follow-up―another pulls-no-punches thriller about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Echo Wife is a non-stop thrill ride, perfect for readers of Big Little Lies and enthusiasts of Killing Eve and Westworld­.

Make Up, Break Up by Lily Menon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Menon’s adult debut, two app developers and former flings butt heads as they find their offices right next to each other. 

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Get ready for battle. The start of a bold and immersive fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Edgar-Award nominee Elle Cosimano’s adult debut Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first in a witty, fast-paced mystery series, following struggling suspense novelist and single mom Finlay Donovan, whose fiction treads dangerously close to the truth as she becomes tangled in real-life murder investigations…

As Far as You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The author of The Gravity of Us crafts another heartfelt coming-of-age story about finding the people who become your home – perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli.

A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sarah J. Maas’s sexy, richly imagined series continues with the journey of Feyre’s fiery sister, Nesta.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

The Bad Muslim Discount by Syed M. Masood
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Following two families from Pakistan and Iraq in the 1990s to San Francisco in 2016, Bad Muslim Discount is a hilarious, timely, and provocative comic novel about being Muslim immigrants in modern America. For fans of Hanif Kureshi, Mira Jacob, and Mohammed Hanif.

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humour and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

Muted by Tami Charles
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A ripped-from-the-headlines novel of ambition, music, and innocence lost, perfect for fans of Elizabeth Acevedo and Jason Reynolds! Be bold. Get seen. Be Heard.

What February 2021 releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/february-2021-book-releases/feed/ 0 31782 I Plotted Murder At Panera https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-guest-post/ https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-guest-post/#respond Sat, 30 Jan 2021 03:00:10 +0000 https://www.thenerddaily.com/?p=31540 Guest post written by author Elle CosimanoElle Cosimano is the award-winning author of the acclaimed young adult novels Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Her debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, will kick off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series on February 2, 2021 (Minotaur Books). Elle’s debut, Nearly Gone, was a 2015 Edgar Award finalist, winner of the International Thriller Award, and has been nominated for multiple state book awards. Her more recent young […]

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]]> Guest post written by author Elle Cosimano
Elle Cosimano is the award-winning author of the acclaimed young adult novels Nearly Gone, Holding Smoke, The Suffering Tree, and Seasons of the Storm. Her debut novel for adults, Finlay Donovan Is Killing It, will kick off a witty, fast-paced contemporary mystery series on February 2, 2021 (Minotaur Books).

Elle’s debut, Nearly Gone, was a 2015 Edgar Award finalist, winner of the International Thriller Award, and has been nominated for multiple state book awards. Her more recent young adult thriller, Holding Smoke, was an International Thriller Award nominee and a Bram Stoker Award finalist. In addition to writing novels for teens and adults, her essays have appeared in The Huffington Post and TIME. Elle lives with her husband and two sons in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia.

Someone had to die. Someone important.

Yet the question of how and when required meticulous planning and forethought. One misstep could derail the carefully constructed narrative I’d already put in place, and like every time I’d eliminated someone before, I didn’t feel equipped to make these decisions alone. There were only two people in this world I trusted enough to help me pull off the perfect murder.

“This death has can’t be painless,” I mused between bites of my salad. “I have to get rid of a key player. Someone people will miss.” The college-aged student at the next table darted glances at us over his laptop. The Panera Bread was packed and we’d barely managed to secure three open chairs in the middle of the sea of tiny tables. Normally, we tried to find a quiet booth someplace a little more private.

“Who are your options?” Ashley asked between sips of sweet tea.  

Megan pitched her voice low. “Whose loss would give you the biggest payoff without making anyone want to throw the book at you?”

Ashley and Megan had been my critique partners for seven years. Our annual writing retreats were a sacred escape for me. We were all professional authors, mothers to school-age children and rowdy teens. Our writing time was stolen, our deadlines tackled between carpool runs, parent-teacher conferences, and trips to the pediatrician. Our retreats were for working, unwinding, and reconnecting. Daylight hours were spent hammering out words in companionable silence. Evenings were spent catching up on each other’s lives at the hotel bar.

But mealtimes? Mealtimes were for plotting.

I rattled off the names of a few potential victims. Stabbing thoughtfully at my salad, I said, “Woody has to die.” I didn’t want to kill him. I liked Woody. But Megan was right. His death would result in the biggest emotional payoff, propelling my story to its climax, but it would also be forgivable—a necessary sacrifice.

I tossed my napkin on my tray, too absorbed in my own machinations to notice the growing unease of the woman at the table beside us. “What about the body? His corpse isn’t going to magically disappear.”

“Why can’t it?” Ashley asked. She had a point. The story was still in manuscript form, the rules of the fantasy world I was creating still bendable. If I wanted the blood to disappear by way of magic, what was stopping me?

I shook my head. “It’s too neat. His death needs to be dark, visceral. It needs to break the ones he leaves behind.” I sat back in my chair, my mind working through possibilities. “I’ll take him out on the side of the highway with a knife. Burn his body in the desert.”

A tray bumped my elbow as the woman beside me rose from her seat, wide-eyed and pale, carrying her half-eaten food with her. I wouldn’t think of her again until hours later, over dinner at Ashley’s aunt’s house, as we regaled her relatives with the stories we’d been plotting, recalling the people who’d given us odd looks while we’d brainstormed over lunch.

“Wouldn’t it have been hilarious if those people in Panera thought you were contract killers?” one of Ashley’s cousins asked.

Laughter burst through the room. The idea was absurd. We were all mothers! I spent days on end in my pajamas, making up stories. And yet, as I reflected back on our conversation about contracts and payoffs and the disposal of bodies, suddenly the notion didn’t feel so far-fetched.

That seed planted itself in my mind during dinner. It grew through the evening, digging in and taking root. By the time we got back to our hotel, I was consumed with it.

“I have an idea for a book,” I blurted as the elevator doors closed around us, “about a writer who gets mistaken for a hired gun.” Ashley and Megan listened as I rambled. Then, just as they have with every book I’ve ever written, they jumped into my whirlwind brainstorm.

By the end of the night, while eating candy and drinking in our pajamas, the three of us had come up with a character named Finlay Donovan: a beleaguered, single mother of two, recently divorced after she caught her husband cheating, her meager advance on an overdue book already spent just to keep the lights on in her house. With bills piling up and her ex-husband flexing for a custody fight, Finlay’s life had already run off the rails when she was overheard discussing the plot of her new book with her agent over lunch in a busy Panera and a desperate woman at the next table slipped Finlay a note, promising fifty thousand in cash to dispose of her problem husband. Exactly how far was Finlay willing to go to hold on to her family?

A terrified thrill rolled through me as I pondered that. This story was completely different than anything I’d written before. Too different. There was a high probability I would fail, but Ashley and Megan insisted that this story needed to be told and that I was the one who needed to tell it. After a few more drinks and a long pep talk, this started to feel like a novel I could write. All my character needed was a ride-or-die accomplice. Someone who knew Finlay’s odds and believed in her in spite of them. I named her Vero, and like my own partners in crime, she made everything possible.

Fast forward three years from that cold February day in Panera.

Poor Woody is dead, stabbed on the side of a desert highway, his body burned to ash somewhere in chapter thirty-eight of my fifth published novel.

And Finlay?

She and Vero are hitting US shelves on February 2nd. Their mystery’s slightly meta, both thrilling and humorous, with a dedication that reads: For Ashley and Megan, because I would bury a body with either of you.

And now ending with a funny story . . . I was texting with Ashley and Megan, telling them my finished books are in and we were waxing nostalgic about our retreats together. Ashley remembered that the day we came up with the idea of FINLAY (THE SAME DAY WE WENT TO PANERA FOR LUNCH!) was Feb 2 (release day) EXACTLY three years ago! Here is the pic we took on our way to dinner that night and check out her caption on the picture!  

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-guest-post/feed/ 0 31540 Q&A: Elle Cosimano, Author of ‘Seasons of the Storm’ https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-interview/ https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-interview/#respond Mon, 08 Jun 2020 18:00:00 +0000 https://www.thenerddaily.com/?p=23831 We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with author Elle Cosimano about her upcoming YA novel Seasons of the Storm, the start to a new fantasy duology. She talks about her inspiration behind the series, the parts she really enjoyed writing, characters who gave her a hard time, her next book, and a lot more! Hello Elle! Tell us a bit about yourself! Thanks so much for inviting me! In 2011, I left a long and successful career in real […]

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]]> We had the absolute pleasure of chatting with author Elle Cosimano about her upcoming YA novel Seasons of the Storm, the start to a new fantasy duology. She talks about her inspiration behind the series, the parts she really enjoyed writing, characters who gave her a hard time, her next book, and a lot more!

Hello Elle! Tell us a bit about yourself!

Thanks so much for inviting me! In 2011, I left a long and successful career in real estate to pursue writing, and now I can’t imagine doing anything else. I currently live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia (on the same mountain where several scenes in Seasons of the Storm take place) with my husband, my two teenage sons, and my dog. We’ve only recently moved back to the US after living six years in Quintana Roo, Mexico. My kids are homeschooled/distance learners, so I generally work with them during the day and I write at night when everyone else is asleep. I pull off my gruelling schedule thanks to my supportive partner and family.

Seasons of the Storm, your latest book, releases on June 23rd. Could you tell us a bit about what readers can expect?

One of the things I love most about YA is that there are no hard, fast rules. Genre lines are often blurred, making storytelling so much fun! Seasons of the Storm is a unique mashup of urban fantasy, sci-fi, mythology, adventure, and romance. I can honestly say it’s the most wildly imaginative story I’ve written, and I think readers will agree that it’s a fresh take on some common fantasy elements—star-crossed love, elemental magic, coming of age road trips, and plots to overthrow vengeful gods. It’s action-packed and full of heart. I hope readers will love my four Seasons—Jack, Fleur, Julio, and Amber—as much as I do.

How did you come up with the idea for Seasons of the Storm?

Several years ago, I was invited to blog weekly flash fiction pieces with a fantastic group of authors. Every month, we challenged each other with writing prompts and shared our work online. One of my writing prompts was simply a GIF of a pink-haired, carefree girl with butterflies on her face.

To me, she was the embodiment of spring, and because my stories tend to lean toward high stakes thrillers and star-crossed romances, I wondered what would happen if this Spring had to kill the season who came before her each year. And then I wondered what would happen if she and her ill-fated Winter fell in love. The short story struck a chord with my readers, so I decided to try developing it into a full-length novel. The book sold to HarperTeen the following year, and it has become one of my very favorite projects.

Jack and Fleur are the two POV characters in the book. Whose perspective was harder for you to write and why?

Fleur was tricky, not because of her voice or her character, but because of the timing and continuity of the story and the way it unfolds. A Season is awake and alive on earth for a set period of time that belongs only to them. The next Season is tasked with hunting the former and killing them, essentially ending the former Season’s cycle on earth and sending them back into a period of hibernation, during which time, they’re healing, gaining strength, and not conscious. They awaken and sleep in set cycles, and their time on earth only overlaps as long as it takes one to kill the other. Navigating the timing of their experiences, their voices, and their resulting chapters became a challenge. Since the story kicks off with Jack hashing a plan to escape, I had to carefully map out Fleur’s scenes to ensure she had a strong enough voice in those opening chapters within the confines of her natural sleep cycles.

At its core, Seasons of the Storm is all about friendship and the sacrifices we make to protect those we love. What made you want to write about this?

I didn’t start out planning to write about friendship. Seasons of the Storm started as a love story—just Jack and Fleur, a Winter and a Spring, willing to risk their immortality for a chance at love and the freedom to choose it. But as I was writing, it became clear to me that my star-crossed lovers couldn’t pull of the complex and dangerous escape plan I had conceived for them alone; they needed help. That help came in the form of Julio and Amber—an Autumn and a Summer trapped in the same annual cycle with Jack and Fleur. And in order for these two Seasons to be willing to risk their own lives, they needed deeply compelling reasons as well. As friendships began to blossom on the pages between these four characters, it became clear to me that the heart of this story wasn’t just about romantic love, but the kind of love that runs deeper—true partnerships and friendships, the commitment to take risks for each other and trust each other against all odds. As much as this is a love story, it’s also the story of a found family. And the power of that relationship was my favorite aspect to write.

Jack and Fleur are flesh and blood embodiments of the seasons winter and spring respectively. If you were to write yourself as a Season, which one would you be and why?

I grew up in the DC metro area, in an area that enjoys four full and vastly different seasons of the year. But while I was drafting Seasons of the Storm, I was living in the Caribbean. The winters were hot, the summers even hotter, and the jungle was always green. I found myself missing autumn the most, the warm days and crisp cool nights. I missed bonfires and hikes through brightly colored leaves. I missed hayrides, and apple-picking, and the misty, creeping arrival of Halloween. I could write myself as any Season, I’d probably be an Autumn. Also, truth? The power to wield fire would be pretty freaking amazing.

Is there a particular character or scene you enjoyed writing the most?

This is hard to answer without spoiling! My very favorite scene in the book is actually hinted at on the cover. It’s the first time all four Seasons truly work together, drawing from the others’ strengths, trusting each other as a unit to survive. Up until this point, they’ve had plenty of reasons to be distrustful of each other, and even themselves. They’ve all been committed to an end goal, but not necessarily yet to each other. This scene marks a critical shift in their relationship, when they realize what’s possible when they work together. The scene is loaded with pulse-pounding action—fire fights, high-speed chases, and wild elemental magic—but their growth arc resonates under all that, and the stakes mean more as the characters emerge changed.

What is your writing process like?

My process usually starts with a spark of an idea, followed by a brainstorming session with my critique partners. Often, I’ll try to craft a loose pitch or summary first, to see if the idea has legs—if the stakes and motivations have enough tension and shape to carry a full-length story. From there, I spend a lot of time staring at the ceiling fan, thinking, making up a very loose outline of key plot points. Sometimes I make inspiration boards. I almost always make a playlist to help get my head in the right mood. And once I have a handful of scenes in my mind, I start drafting. My first drafts are always a mess. I do a lot of heavy lifting during deep revisions and I try to leave myself time between drafts, so I can see the story with fresh eyes when I dive back in. I rely on feedback through every step of the process from key people who challenge me to do my best work—critique partners, my agent, and my editors. Fun fact? I’m super-critical of my own work, so I never re-read my books after they’ve been sent to the printer.

What’s next for you?

I’m hard at work revising the sequel to Seasons of the Storm (tentatively titled Seasons of Chaos) and I’m really excited about where this second instalment will take our heroes. I’m also wrapping up a new project I can’t wait to share with readers! Finlay Donovan Is Killing It is the first book in a brand new mystery series (my first novel for adult readers), and it has been so much fun to write! It’s a funny, fast-paced, smart contemporary crime thriller, coming out on February 2nd with Minotaur Books.

And finally, do you have any book recommendations for us?

YES! This last year has produced an embarrassment of riches in both YA and adult books, across all genres. Fantasy is one of my favorite escapes. I just devoured From Blood and Ash, the first book in Jennifer L. Armentrout’s newest series, and I stayed up until dawn to finish it in one sitting. Richly imagined worldbuilding, a sizzling romance, and a totally unique twist on supernatural lore, it was completely captivating! My readers also know I love dark, twisty thrillers. For the YA crowd, keep your eye out for a debut called Throwaway Girls by Andrea Contos, coming this fall! This mystery is gorgeously written, perfectly paced, and tightly plotted. An absolute 10! And for fans of psychological suspense, The Girl From Widow Hills by Megan Miranda was perfectly creepy and intense! I confess, I read the second half of the book huddled under the blanket with all the lights on.

Will you be picking up Seasons of the Storm? Tell us in the comments below!

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]]> https://thenerddaily.com/elle-cosimano-author-interview/feed/ 0 23831