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The Paper & Vine Summer Reading Challenge ☀️📚🍉
The Paper & Vine Summer Reading Challenge ☀️📚🍉 There’s just something about summer reading that feels a little magical. Maybe it’s reading by the pool with wet sunscreen hands. Maybe it’s staying up way too late because “just one more chapter” turned into 2am. Maybe it’s the iced coffee sweating onto your book while you pretend your patio is a luxury Italian vacation. Summer reading should feel fun again. Not like homework. Not like pressure to read 47 literary masterpieces before September. So this year, we’re doing a lighthearted, cozy, chaotic-good summer reading challenge made for readers who want vibes, stories, and tiny moments of joy. No rules. No stress. No required number of books. Just little prompts to make reading feel playful again. *some links below are paid affiliate links and help us keep this blog ad free and creative for your enjoyment* The Paper & Vine Summer Reading Challenge See how many you can complete before summer ends: ☀️ Read a book with a bright or colorful cover Bonus points if it screams “beach read.” 🍓 Read outside Poolside. Patio. Park bench. Hammock. Folding chair in your driveway. We don’t judge. 🎧 Listen to an audiobook while doing chores Suddenly laundry becomes cinematic. 💌 Read a romance Summer is romance season and honestly that’s science. 🌊 Read a book that takes place near water Beach towns. Lakes. Coastal Italy. Tiny fishing villages. Give us all the summer atmosphere. 📖 Finish a book in one weekend The elite summer reading experience. 🍷 Pair a book with a fun drink Wine. Dirty soda. Lemonade. Mocktail. Iced tea in your emotional support tumbler. 🌴 Read a book everyone else seems to be reading Join the group chat energy. 😭 Read a book that makes you cry a little Character development. 😂 Read a book that makes you laugh out loud The best kind of embarrassing in public. 🕯️ Visit a bookstore you’ve never been to Independent bookstores make summer road trips better. 📚 Re-read an old favorite Sometimes the right book at the right time is one you already loved once. 🌅 Read during sunrise or sunset Main character energy only. 🧺 Have a reading picnic This is your sign. ✨ Read a book purely because the vibes are immaculate No other explanation needed. Want to Print it Out Pretty? Download, print, and see how many cozy little summer reading prompts you can complete before fall. Perfect for beach bags, book clubs, poolside reading days, and your fridge door all summer long. 💛 ✨ Grab your free printable and start your summer reading era. Support our little bookish corner while you read: 📖 Shop our recommendations on Bookshop.org 🎧 Listen with us on Libro.fmPaper & Vine Libro.fm use code SWITCH for 2 free audios! Make It Even More Fun A few ways to romanticize your reading life this summer: Keep a tiny reading journal Rate books with dramatic emojis Make playlists for your favorite characters Annotate your favorite lines Start a buddy read with a friend Reward yourself with a little treat after finishing a book Build a themed snack board for your current read Reading doesn’t have to be productive to matter. Sometimes it’s enough that a story made your day feel softer. Your Official Summer Reading Assignment Read what sounds fun. Quit books you hate. Buy the pretty special edition. Take the long way home to listen to one more chapter. Stay up too late reading at least once. And let yourself enjoy stories again. That counts too. 💛
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Why Dungeon Crawler Carl Is Soooo the Move in 2026
Why Dungeon Crawler Carl Is Soooo the Move in 2026 There are currently two kinds of readers: People obsessed with Dungeon Crawler Carl People who just haven’t started it yet And honestly? This series feels weirdly perfect for 2026. It’s chaotic.It’s hilarious.It’s emotionally devastating.It’s somehow cozy and stressful at the same time. Which honestly feels very on brand for this year. At Paper & Vine Book Bar we are VERY pro-books-that-consume-your-entire-personality for a few weeks, and Dungeon Crawler Carl absolutely falls into that category. What even is Dungeon Crawler Carl? Written by Matt Dinniman, the series starts when Earth is suddenly transformed into a massive alien-run dungeon crawl where survivors are forced to compete in a televised survival game for the entertainment of the galaxy. The main character? Carl. Barefoot. Confused. Hanging on by a thread. His companion? Princess Donut: an award-winning cat with the attitude of a reality TV icon and the emotional range to somehow make you laugh and cry within the same chapter. Which sounds ridiculous until suddenly you’re six books deep at 1:30 a.m. emotionally attached to fictional dungeon crawlers. The vibes are immaculate This series somehow combines: absurd humor actual emotional depth reality TV satire fast-paced action found family gaming mechanics “just one more chapter” energy complete and utter chaos One second you’re laughing at a ridiculous achievement notification. The next second you’re staring at the wall processing trauma. The tonal whiplash should not work.And yet it works PERFECTLY. It’s also one of the most bingeable series ever This is the kind of series where you tell yourself: “I’ll just read a few chapters tonight.” And then suddenly it’s 2 a.m., you’ve ignored all responsibilities, and you’re googling fan theories while aggressively recommending the books to everyone you know. The pacing is INSANE in the best way. And the audiobook people are not exaggerating If someone has aggressively told you to listen to the audiobook version specifically… they are probably right. The narration from Jeff Hays has become legendary among fantasy readers because it genuinely feels like a full production experience instead of a standard audiobook. Even people who “don’t really do audiobooks” get converted by this series. Convert to using Libro.fm and support our bookstore and not Amazon while you listen! Use code SWITCH to get two free audiobooks, this is a WIN WIN. LitRPG is having a MOMENT And Dungeon Crawler Carl is a huge reason why. For a long time LitRPG felt super niche, but now? These books are everywhere. Fantasy readers who never thought they’d care about stats, levels, or dungeon mechanics are suddenly fully invested. Because at its core, this series is really about survival, loyalty, identity, and trying to hold onto your humanity in an absolutely ridiculous world. Which… honestly feels relatable lately. About this months' release 👀 This months' release of A Parade of Horribles has readers absolutely spiraling already, and if the previous books are any indication, the stakes are about to become even more chaotic, emotional, and wildly addictive. The fandom treats every release like a sporting event at this point and honestly? Fair. Final thoughts from your local book-and-wine enablers If your 2026 reading list needs: something wildly entertaining fantasy that doesn’t take itself too seriously characters you’ll accidentally become emotionally attached to a series that completely takes over your personality for a while …Dungeon Crawler Carl is soooo the move. Just don’t blame us when you suddenly start trying to convince everyone in your life to read it too. We've made a list of the collection that's easy to buy from where you can support both Matt & our amazing little bookstore! Book 1: Dungeon Crawler Carl Book 2: Carl's Doomsday Scenario Book 3: The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook Book 4: The Gate of the Feral Gods Book 5: The Butcher's Masquerade Book 6: The Eye of the Bedlam Bride Book 7: This Inevitable Ruin And finally — HAPPY PUB DAY to Book 8. A Parade of Horribles by Matt Dinniman 🎉📚💀 The Dungeon Crawler Carl fandom is about to become even more unhinged today, and honestly? We fully support it. happy reading to our favorite people! we love you all. paper & vine
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Book of the Month: Let Us Choose the Love Story 💕
Book of the Month Club Let Us Choose the Love Story 💕 If you have ever stood in the bookstore staring at shelves of beautiful covers excited but overwhelmed this is for you. Our Book of the Month Club was created for readers who love contemporary romance but do not always want to make another decision. Life already asks enough of you. Your next love story does not need to be one of those choices. We can take that part off your plate. Each month we hand select a contemporary romance we genuinely believe in. One we would recommend to a friend talk about behind the counter and stay up too late finishing. We place it directly into your bag or box with really fun themed goodies and it is ready for you. You simply open it and read (and enjoy your goodies while you're at it)!! How It Works Our Book of the Month Club is $35 per month with a subscription. This guarantees your monthly book plus curated goodies all thoughtfully packed just for you. Shipping is an option we can ship anywhere in the US! Shipping rates do apply though! Occasionally we have extras after subscriptions go out. When that happens, we offer a one-time Book of the Month bag for $40. These are limited and not guaranteed every month but are perfect if you want to try it once or grab an easy gift. What is in This Month’s Bag 🍒 (An Example) This month’s Book of the Month features Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell in hardcover. It is paired with the sweetest cherry themed extras including:A cherry keychainA cherry bookmarkA very cute cherry scrunchie It is a playful cozy bundle built around a contemporary romance favorite and styled to feel like a little gift to yourself. Why This Is Such a Good Deal To give you a real exampleThis month’s Book of the Month bag has a $52 retail value It includesA $32 MSRP hardcover contemporary romancePlus, themed bookish goodies Subscribers receive it all for $35 That value truly cannot be beat. We truly do this out of love for our bookish community in hopes to grow this club and a love for reading. We want it to feel like SELF CARE. You can see this month’s bag herehttps://paperandvinebooks.com/products/book-of-the-month-club Who This Club Is Perfect For Readers who love contemporary romanceAnyone feeling decision fatigueBusy book lovers who still want something thoughtful and cozyPeople who love opening something that feels like a treat If you trust our taste and enjoy being surprised this club was made for you. What You Will Get Each Month One hand selected contemporary romanceFun cozy extras that make reading even better (including a custom bookmark to match each book)A little joy with the surprise and opening of each box or bag. No stress. No scrolling. No second guessing. Just a love story chosen for you and wrapped with care. A Love Story Delivered Whether your Book of the Month is waiting in a bag at the shop or arrives in a box at your door it is meant to feel special. Something to look forward to. Something just for you. We choose the book.We pack the goodies.You fall in love with the story. Comment below any questions OR fun book of the month ideas you guys would love to see.
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Books That Feel Like Summer Nights & Wine on the Patio
🍷 Books That Feel Like Summer Nights & Wine on the Patio Imagine this. You walk into our shop, grab a glass of wine, and step out onto the patio. The sun is starting to dip, it’s still warm, and for the first time all day… you can actually relax. You sit down, open your book, and suddenly you’re somewhere else — a beach house, a lake town, a summer romance you can’t stop thinking about. People ask us all the time, “What should I read if I want something that feels like this?” This is that list. ✨ Books that feel like summer nights, slow conversations, and stories you want to linger in just a little longer. *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. We do this in an attempt to provide you value and save you time while supporting our bookshop! Thank you for your support!!! 💕 Romance That Feels Like Golden Hour These are the books you read outside with a drink in hand… and forget to check your phone. A Beach? A Pool? The Lake? Say less. - Every Summer After — Carley Fortune - Love & Other Words — Christina Lauren - Happy Place — Emily Henry - Same Time Next Summer — Annabel Monaghan - The Summer of Broken Rules — K.L. Walther - Beach Read — Emily Henry - People We Meet on Vacation — Emily Henry These are soft, nostalgic, and full of "that feeling": the kind of love that only exists in summer and somehow changes everything. ✨ Perfect for: chilled white wine, golden hour, and a night that stretches longer than you planned. 🌊 Coastal & Beach Reads If you want to feel like you’re sitting by the ocean (even if you’re not), start here. - Malibu Rising — Taylor Jenkins Reid - The Five Star Weekend — Elin Hilderbrand - The Paper Palace — Miranda Cowley Heller - Summer on Lilac Island — Lindsay MacMillan- The Hotel Nantucket — Elin Hilderbrand - Saint X — Alexis Schaitkin These are layered with family dynamics, secrets, and that unmistakable coastal energy — a little dreamy, a little emotional. ✨ Perfect for: rosé, salty air, and losing track of time. 🔪 Thrillers to Read by the Water These are the ones where you sit down for “just one chapter”… and suddenly it’s dark. - The Guest List — Lucy Foley - The Paris Apartment — Lucy Foley - Reckless Girls — Rachel Hawkins - The Last Thing He Told Me — Laura Dave - We Were Never Here — Andrea Bartz There’s something about reading a slightly unsettling story in a calm, beautiful setting that just hits different. ✨ Perfect for: a bold red, storm clouds in the distance, and canceling your plans. ☀️ Books That Just Feel Like Summer Not all of these are set on the beach, but they carry that long days, reflective nights kind of energy. These will slow you down and truly help you soak up these long summer nights. - The Women — Kristin Hannah - This Story Might Save Your Life — Tiffany Crum - The Last Love Note — Emma Grey - Before We Were Strangers — Renée Carlino - The Simple Wild — K.A. Tucker - Theo of Golden — Allen Levi These are emotional, immersive, and perfect for when you want to slow down and really feel a story. ✨ Perfect for: that moment when the sun sets and you’re not ready to go inside yet. ✨ Our “Trust Us” Summer Picks A little different, a little unexpected, maybe unorthodox for this kind of list, but still perfect for this exact vibe. - Broken Country — Leslie Clare Hall - First Time Caller — B.K. Borison - Wild Reverence — Rebecca Ross These are the ones we hand-sell in the store... the “you just have to try this” books that end up being someone’s favorite. 🍷 Hosting a Summer Book Club? If you’re picking one of these for a book club night, make it a whole experience: - Open a bottle of wine - Put out a simple snack board - Sit outside a little longer than usual - And let the conversation flow Sometimes the hardest part isn’t picking the book… it’s getting the conversation going. If you want it to feel effortless (and actually fun), 👉 grab my 30 Book Club Question Cards. These work for any book and help you skip the awkward silence and get straight to the good conversations. Keep them on hand for every book night, all summer long ✨ There are always more we could add, but these are the ones we come back to again and again when someone wants a book that feels like summer. If you read one of these, tell us what you think… and if we missed one you love that just SCREAMS summer, we’re always adding to the list 💛📚 We put all these books together in one place for you here! Love yall, Paper & Vine.
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Books We Love and Will Always Recommend 📚✨
Books We Love and Will Always Recommend 📚✨ Imagine you walk into our shop. You grab a drink, wander the shelves, maybe linger a little longer than you planned. Then you stop and ask us,“What would you recommend?” And without overthinking it… these are the books we reach for. There are always more (there are always more), but this list? These are the ones we come back to again and again. The ones we’d confidently hand to anyone, whether you’re a lifelong reader or just trying to fall back in love with books. We have made a list on our bookshop.org account that will lead you to all these books, just click here to shop and scroll *Please note this post may contain affiliate links. We do this in an attempt to provide you value and save you time while supporting our bookshop! Thank you for your support!!! 💔 For Emotional, Character-Driven Stories You Feel in Your Bones Remarkably Bright Creatures — quiet, tender, and somehow life-changing Every Summer After (and the series) — nostalgia and second chances done right Part of Your World — romance with heart and real depth (anything Abby is a YES from us!) Binding 13 series — emotionally intense in the best way! The Women — powerful, heartbreaking, and unforgettable (anything Kristin Hannah is also a YES from us!) Broken Country— atmospheric, emotional, and deeply moving 🔥 For Addictive Page-Turners You Can’t Put Down The One— a concept that spirals fast - so fun and the chapters being different people makes the pace SO FUN. No Exit — pure tension from start to finish, adored. Look Closer — twisty and clever in all the right ways, also adored. This Story Might Save Your Life — suspense with heart and personality, THIS ON AUDIO! First Time Caller — fresh, engaging, and easy to get pulled into I’m Glad My Mom Died — brutally honest, darkly funny, and completely unputdownable The Correspondent — layered and impossible to predict 🌿 For Literary, Thought-Provoking, and Soul-Stirring Reads Theo of Golden — quietly profound and grounding, makes you appreciate life and the people in the world The Frozen River — immersive historical fiction, SO GOOD. Wild Reverence — reflective and poetic, fantasy at its best. Alchemised — introspective and layered, when I tell you this is my FAVORITE of 25, so so so good. Graceless Heart — raw, emotional storytelling, this was a fast fun fantasy read for me that was unlike the others ive read. 🎶 For Vibes, Aesthetics, and Unforgettable Energy Daisy Jones & The Six — messy, electric, unforgettable Atmosphere — immersive and moody Chestnut Springs series — small-town romance you sink into Dungeon Crawler Carl series — chaotic, funny, addictive This Book Made Me Think of You — heartfelt and connection-driven 🧠 For Growth, Habits, and a Better Way to Think Atomic Habits — simple, realistic systems that actually stick Beyond Belief — I swear this book rewired my brain chemistry. If you want a taste of this without the book, find Codie Sanchez's Big Deal podcast and listen to the episode where she hosts Nir. 💫 Final Thoughts If you walked in today and asked us what to read next…this is where we’d start. These are the books we don’t hesitate to recommend. The ones that remind us why we opened a bookstore in the first place. And if one of them pulls you out of a reading slump or becomes your new favorite?That’s exactly why we keep talking about them. 💬 Tell Us Yours What do y’all think are some of your favorites to recommend?
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Best New Book Releases: April 2026 (What Everyone is Reading Right Now!)
If your reading list has been feeling a little stale… April just fixed that. These are the most anticipated April 2026 book releases—the ones readers are already loving on Goodreads and the ones you’re about to see everywhere. From emotional page-turners to cozy, aesthetic reads and addictive romance, this list is stacked.
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Edge of Your Seat: 30 Must Read Thrillers
Edge of Your Seat: 30 Must Read Thrillers This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Paper & Vine Book Bar may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you love tension that keeps you turning pages and twists you never see coming, this list is your next thriller reading roadmap. These 30 books. hand-picked by the owners at Paper & Vine Book Bar, span domestic suspense, psychological thrillers, crime dramas, and pulse-racing page-turners that will haunt you long after the last chapter. You can shop the full list here: 30 Must-Read Thrillers on Bookshop.org. 🔥 The Core Thriller Picks This collection blends modern must-reads and cult favorites — perfect for seasoned thriller fans or anyone building their ultimate TBR. It's Not Her – A twisty psychological thriller about devastating secrets. When I Kill You – A chilling story about hope, survival, and revenge. You Killed Me First – A cat-and-mouse game with unexpected turns. The Arrangement – A high-stakes domestic suspense. All the Dangerous Things – Dark secrets and escalating danger. Pretty Girls – A chilling exploration of family, grief, and violence. The God of the Woods – A slow-burn mystery that keeps you guessing. Look Closer – A thriller rooted in perception and deception. Kill for Me, Kill for You – A fierce duo vs. the world thriller. Little Secrets – A razor-sharp thriller managing suspense and dark humor. 📖 More Edge-of-Your-Seat Reads The Lies I Tell – Deception at every turn. Fifty Fifty – Two lives intersect in shocking ways. Stillhouse Lake – A fierce mother protects her family. The Missing Half – A disappearance with devastating consequences. The Ghostwriter – Identity, secrets, and literary danger. Forget Me Not – Memory and threat collide. Best Offer Wins – A story about obsession and deceit. It Should Have Been You – Regret, twists, and dangerous turns. Razorblade Tears – Revenge, grief, and gritty justice. We Were Liars – A haunting family thriller with a twist. 🔍 Addictive Suspense & Psychological Twists Behind Her Eyes – A twist you’ll never see coming. The Silent Patient – Silence isn't safe here. The One – Thriller meets speculative twist. My Husband’s Wife – Betrayal, marriage, and mystery. Listen for the Lie – Truth and perception blurred. 🔥 The Final Five (Page 2 Additions) No Exit – A high-stakes survival thriller with twists at every turn. The Only One Left – Intense suspense and unexpected alliances. Then She Was Gone – A haunting, emotional mystery. Never Lie – Secrets, suspense, and betrayal. Not Quite Dead Yet: A GMA Book Club Pick – A gripping thriller chosen by the Good Morning America book club. 🎯 Why This List Works for Every Thriller Fan Whether you’re into dark psychological twists, relentless whodunits, or crime suspense that hits close to home, this collection has something for you. Many of these books have become staples on best thriller lists, show up in reader favorites online, and keep discussion buzzing among fans and critics alike. The owners at Paper & Vine have read and personally ADORED every one of these books. Trust us. 🛒 Shop the Full 30 Must-Read Thriller List 👉 Browse and buy all 30 must-read thrillers here: https://bookshop.org/lists/30-must-read-thrillers
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March 2026 New Releases Have Us Feeling Lucky!
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Paper & Vine Book Bar may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. March is here, and with it comes a lineup of new releases so good, we’re feeling downright lucky. From buzzy debuts to long‑awaited returns by favorite authors, this month’s books are packed with heart, intrigue, and page‑turning magic. Whether you’re chasing a fresh start or just the perfect next read, March 2026 is delivering all the literary luck. 🍀📚 Shop our March Bookshop.org Link for all the March New Releases Here! Game On by Navessa Allen Book three in the #1 New York Times bestselling Into Darkness Series, following the dark rom-com sensations Lights Out and Caught Up. The game is on for these enemies-to-lovers with laugh-out-loud banter and scorching-hot brat play.I hate that woman.Tyler Neumann has spent years looking for his father, and not because he wants to meet the man. No, he wants to destroy him. And he’ll manipulate whoever he can to exact his revenge.Including Stella McCormick. She’s everything Tyler hates. Her wealth and privilege have protected her for her entire life, and Tyler thinks it's time she finally paid the price. Whether she’s ready to or not.I hate that man.Stella might not believe in love at first sight, but loathing at first sight—no question. From the moment she sets eyes on Tyler in her tattoo parlor, she knows he’s the devil planning to make her life hell.Forced to play the part of his girlfriend and invite him into her family’s glittering circles, Stella quickly clocks Tyler’s ulterior motives. But love and hate are two sides of the same coin, and soon she doesn’t know which is worse: being blackmailed by a man who wants to ruin her, or that they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other.This is an enemies-to-lovers dark romance with morally grey characters. Some themes and scenes may be disturbing to readers. Please check the content warning at the beginning of the book. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez In everyone’s life, there’s a split-second decision that can change everything ...For Larissa, it came when choosing who to ride home with after a concert. That night, she had no idea she’d met the perfect man. She and Chris are great friends, co-parenting a slightly unhinged rescue Yorkie, sharing their favorite books, and judging bread (pumpernickel for the win!). For the first time amid all her side hustles to scrape by, things finally feel easy.But she didn’t choose Chris to drive her home all those months ago—she went with his best friend, and he became her boyfriend. All Chris wants is for Larissa to be happy. Standing by on the sidelines is slowly killing him, but making a move would destroy someone else.How can something that feels so right be absolutely impossible? Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Love Song by Elle Kennedy After a brutal breakup, college junior Blake Logan escapes to her family's lake house in Tahoe, determined to shut out the world. Her plan is simple: no men, no drama. Until Wyatt Graham shows up. Four years older and far too good at getting under her skin, Wyatt is the living embodiment of a "bad idea," and the guy who shattered her pride when she confessed her crush at sixteen. With his music career stalled, Wyatt has come to Tahoe for inspiration. The last thing he expects is to find it with Blake. He's spent years keeping his distance, convinced he's all wrong for her, but she's no longer the innocent girl he once knew. She's confident, captivating, and impossible to ignore. And the slow-burning tension between them? It's catching fire fast. They both know this can't last, but one reckless kiss turns into another, and soon they're tangled in something that feels dangerously like more. Just as they finally give in to the pull, tragedy tears them apart, leaving their hearts in pieces. But forgetting that one, nearly perfect summer? Not a chance. And when fate brings them together again, Blake and Wyatt must decide if this is a second chance…or the final verse Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Want To Know A Secret By Freida McFadden Influencer and baking sensation April Masterson knows the secret to the perfect gooey brownies. Or how to make key lime squares that will melt in your mouth. But if you keep watching her offline, you may find out some other secrets about April. Secrets she'd rather you didn't know. Like… Where did her son go when he snuck out late at night? What was she doing with the local soccer coach behind fogged windows? And what's buried in her backyard? April's secrets are enough to destroy her. I'll make sure of that. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link What We Did To Survive by Megan Lally Hannah is having an incredible spring break. A week at a resort in Mexico with her best friend Emmy and her family is perfect for de-stressing from senior year, even if it's awkward being around Emmy's older brother, Jackson, who she's had a crush on for as long as she can remember. Still, the beach is gorgeous. So is the guy they meet in the surf. Except Hannah is now the third wheel in Emmy's vacation romance. Eager to impress Emmy, her wealthy new boyfriend charters a private sailboat to make the most of their last day in paradise, and Hannah and Jackson are invited along. As the clouds roll in and the skies darken, their boat is the only one leaving the marina. And the further they get into open water, the more unsettled Hannah becomes. A storm is brewing onboard that's as deadly as the one racing toward them. Forget surviving graduation. Who will make it back to land alive? Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Wolf Worm by T. Kingfisher “I saw the devil in these woods.”Sonia Wilson is a talented scientific illustrator―but she is only able to follow her dream because of her father’s reputation as a renowned scientist. Such is the lot in life for a woman in science in 1899. And after his death, she is left without work, prospects, or hope.So when the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use.Once there though, she encounters dark happenings in the Carolina woods, and even darker questions come to light, like what happened to her predecessor? Why are animals acting so strangely, and what is behind the peculiar local whispers about “blood thiefs?”With the aid of the housekeeper and a local healer, Sonia discovers that Halder’s entomological studies have taken him down a twisted road. His ground-breaking discoveries come with a cost―one that Halder is paying with human flesh.If Sonia can’t find a way to stop the monstrosity, she may be next under the knife. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link You With the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate Christina Applegate came of age on sets and stages, expected to be on time, with lines learned, ready for lights-camera-action. What started as a financial necessity soon became an emotional escape from a tumultuous home life in the infamous Laurel Canyon scene of the 70s and 80s. She rocketed to stardom on the sitcom Married...with Children and went on to captivate audiences in classics like Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitters Dead…, Anchorman, and Dead to Me in her five-decade long career. Then it all stopped. A Multiple Sclerosis diagnosis in 2021 confined her to a king-sized bed and the company of memories she’d rather forget: memories of the self-doubt and body dysmorphia that stalked her meteoric rise, of her mother’s fight against addiction and abuse after her father left, and of the tax life had taken on her body and mind that was suddenly coming due. Now, at her most intimate and vulnerable, she unveils a story not even those closest to her fully know. She returns to the diaries she kept her whole life, finding the pain matched by joy, the losses mitigated by the extraordinary, and the weight of life lifted by her unrelenting belief that something greater lay ahead. No longer willing to lock herself away and with the perspective only our own mortality can bring, she knew it was imperative to tell it all. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link No Matter What by Cara Bastone Roz and Vin can’t look each other in the eyes anymore, let alone share a bed. It’s been a year since they survived a life-altering accident, and their marriage hasn’t been the same. But Roz has held out hope that they can fix things, until she discovers Vin has signed a new lease. So she does what any soon-to-be-divorced Manhattanite would do: sign up for a figure-drawing class.Between Roz’s determined attempts to improve her artistic skills and her adventures with her best friend, Raffi, she can almost ignore Vin’s impending move-out date and his footsteps in their previously unoccupied guest room. But it would all be a lot easier if Vin wasn’t Raffi’s older brother, and if she didn’t still find him incredibly, debilitatingly attractive and kind.So kind, in fact, that Vin offers to let Roz draw him. What is she supposed to say? It’s probably better than her original plan of finding some random male model online, and she needs all the practice she can get. Plus, that’s sure to make a separation easier, right? Focus on every detail of your estranged spouse’s body while drawing him in the nude? But after the year they’ve spent avoiding each other, it feels good to see and be seen by one another again.As Roz works to capture the wholeness of the person she fell in love with, will they both be able to draw upon the feelings they buried deep inside to finally heal together? Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Strangers In The Villa by Robyn Harding Sydney Lowe’s life in New York is shattered when her husband, Curtis, admits to a meaningless affair with a client. Begging for forgiveness and vowing to prove his devotion, Curtis suggests the couple retreat to a remote hilltop house in Spain to repair their marriage. High above the Mediterranean, Sydney and Curtis are working on the isolated property and their relationship when a pair of Australian travelers turns up at their door in dire need of help. Lonely for companionship and desperate for free labor, Sydney and Curtis invite the attractive young couple to stay. But as the days pass, dark secrets come to light, the Lowes’ bond is tested, and not everyone will leave the villa alive. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Judge Stone by Viola Davis/James Patterson All rise... for Judge Stone.The most respected citizen in Union Springs, Alabama (population 3,314), is Judge Mary Stone. She holds two responsibilities sacred: running her family farm and presiding over her courtroom. It's there she draws the most controversial case in the history of the South.Criminally, it’s open-and-shut.Ethically, there is no middle ground. Essentially, it’s a choice between life and death. No judge can satisfy everyone. It would be dangerous to try. But Judge Stone is willing to fight to bring justice to the people and place she loves. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh One offers a helping hand. The other is your worst nightmare...Social media influencer, Elly Parker, had the perfect life, that is until she discovered her husband had been having an affair with her best friend.But as hurt, betrayed, unmoored as Elly is, she has made it her mission to help others in need. Even strangers.When Elly meets a man on the steps to the subway platform, crutches in one hand and a yellow suitcase by his feet, she can’t help but feel sorry for him.Just as he planned.This small act of kindness sets off a change of events more terrifying than anything she ever could imagine.To survive, Elly will need to convince the world what happened to her was real. She needs a lawyer who can bend the rules to find the truth. Eddie Flynn and his team must find the stranger with the yellow suitcase. But little do they know this cunning killer is a master manipulator and is always one step ahead. Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Once and Again by Rebecca Serle The women of the Novak family were each born with a gift: they can, just once, turn back time.Lauren has known since she was fifteen that her mother Marcella saved Lauren’s father from a deadly car accident. Dave is alive and happy, and out on the Malibu waves. But ever since, Marcella, her power spent, has lived in fear of what she won’t be able to reverse. Her own mother, Sylvia, is her polar opposite: a free-spirited iconoclast with a glamorous past she only hints at. Lauren has spent her life between these two role models—and waiting for her own catastrophe to strike.Then one summer, Lauren’s husband takes a job in New York and she moves back to Broad Beach Road, back into her childhood home on the shores of Malibu. Lauren looks forward to surfing with her dad again and perhaps repairing an unspoken fracture in her relationship with her mother. What she doesn’t expect is for the boy next to door to return home as well: Stone, Lauren’s first love, who broke her heart nearly a decade before.As Lauren falls into familiar patterns, with her family and, more dangerously, Stone, she finds herself thinking about all the choices, large and small, that have brought her to this moment. And wondering, finally, if one of them should be undone Shop with us: Bookshop.org Link (supports us locally)! Amazon Affiliate Link Happy Reading Everyone!!! What are you all planning to pick up this month?! Comment Below. Shop our March Bookshop.org Link for all the March New Releases Here!
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February 2026 New Releases: Books We're Absolutely Thrilled About
February 2026 brings an incredible lineup of new book releases across thrillers, mysteries, and contemporary fiction. From Mary Kubica's latest psychological thriller to Will Dean's atmospheric suspense, discover the must-read books hitting shelves this month.
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