Wondering what to read now? Here are all the hot new July 2026 book releases for you. I’ll let you know what I’ve read, what I can’t wait to read, and what’s getting all the attention this month.
In case you’re new to Booklist Queen, every month I cover all the hottest new book releases. I try to read as many new book releases as I can to give you an honest perspective on what to read and what to skip.
However, I realize that my to-read list might not exactly match yours. That’s why I’ve also included some of the most popular July 2026 book releases from your favorite authors.
Enough from me, let’s get on to the July 2026 book releases so you can fill up your to-read list.
Top July 2026 Book Releases
Hot Girl Murder Club
Ashley Winstead
Ten years ago, best friends aspiring actresses Izzy and Scout Sage attend a tv executive’s Christmas party. When Scout’s younger sister Georgia is murdered at the party, Scout and Izzy immediately suspect the executive’s creepy son. Now Scout, an up-and-coming musician, finds herself the suspect in a series of high-profile celebrity murders. As a young detective investigates the case, Scout and Izzy show just how far women are willing to go to demand justice for their abuse.
Ashley Winstead really impressed me earlier this year with The Future Saints so I was curious about her other new release. Though not as deep as The Future Saints, Hot Girl Murder Club is a fun layered read full of girl squad vibes for the #MeToo era. The different timelines allowed the truth to slowly reveal, giving you some unexpected twists and turns. Although the ending was over the top, Hot Girl Murder Club is a great beach read for those lazy summer days.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
My Rating:
Publication Date: 14 July 2026
Learn More: Goodreads | StoryGraph
Buy Now: Amazon | Apple Books
Dominion
Jean Kwok
Three years after the Annihilation that destroyed her homeland and wiped her memories, Rubi Morningtail is barely surviving as a refuge in the Dominion of the Silver Tyger. When she injures a battle tyger, she is sentenced to to participate in the Bonding, a harsh trial where tygers choose their riders and kill everyone else. Miraculously surviving, Rubi finds herself on the elite team of the leader of the royal Tyger Warriors, Blake Axefire. As they battle with the other rival dominions, Rubi must unlock her memories and understand her limited magic while resisting her attraction to a brutal warrior in this new romantasy series..
The Half Life
Rachel Beanland
After her brother dies in Vietname, Eileen O’Malley finds herself swept away by Paul Archer, a charming naval officer. Stationed on the tiny Mediterranean island of La Maddalena where Paul works with a nuclear submarine, Eileen discovers the complexities of being an American living abroad. When Italian activists begin to warn of the danger of nuclear contamination in the water, Eileen finds herself drawn to a local journalist who is looking to uncover the truth.
Getting Away with Murder
Shari Lapena
Jill and Ted’s pride and joy is their New York brownstone which they have poured all their time and energy into. When Ted’s inheritance runs out and he loses money in a bad investment, suddenly the happy couple is terrified of losing their home and their lifestyle. Until they get the idea that it’s time for them to get another inheritance. All they have to do is get away with the murder of one of their wealthy relatives.
Perfect Life
Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores
In a sequel to Happy Wife, Este Walker has the prefect life in Winter Park, Florida, with her husband Beau and her best friend Nora. When someone from her past resurfaces, Este’s buried secrets threaten to come to light. When Beau is the suspect in a mysterious death, Este learns she is not the only one keeping secrets and must unravel a web of lies to find the truth.
Cool Machine
Colson Whitehead
In the final book of the Harlem Trilogy, Colson Whitehead brings the vibrancy of 1980s New York to life. Business owner and fence Ray Carney turns to one last heist when his wife Elizabeth is denied a loan for her travel agency. Meanwhile Elizabeth hires Pepper, Carney’s partner in crime, to be her bodyguard in the arts scene of the East Village. Now twenty years after Freddie’s death, Carney and Pepper might take on one more job to say Freddie’s son.
Book of the Month – July 2026
Receiving my blue box from Book of the Month Club is a highlight of every month.
Here’s how it works – each month, they pick 5-7 books and you get to choose one book or skip until the next month. If you want to add any extra books, then you get them at a discounted price.
Each month is usually a mix of new releases and advance copies of unreleased books. If you are interested in joining, right now you can use my Book of the Month Club affiliate link to get your first book for $5!
The July Book of the Month selections are:
See the Complete List of Upcoming Releases!
Read with Jenna’s July 2026 Book Club Pick
The Shampoo Effect
Jenny Jackson
Newly arrived in a coastal Massachusetts town, Caroline Lash quickly falls in love with local Van Whittaker. Van still hangs out with all his childhood friends: his beautiful ex-girlfriend Bailey, snobbish rich Augusta, and independent Fran. As the group runs wild over the summer, Bailey announces she is pregnant with Van’s baby. Immediately Caroline is cast out and in her anger, she exposes long-held secrets that throw the whole town into chaos.
Reese’s Book Club July 2026 Pick
A Founding Mother
Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie
A historical novel about the wife of one president and the mother of another, A Founding Mother gives an intimate look into the life of Abigail Adams. While her husband is away, often for years at a time, Abigail Adams fiercely builds independence successfully managing their farm, raising their children, defending their home, and giving fearless political counsel. After the revolution, Abigail must navigate the political realm on the world stage, working behind the scenes to help her family, secure independence for women, and making America a better place.
GMA’s July 2026 Book Club Pick
Country People
Daniel Mason
After twelve years working on his PhD in Russian folktales, Miles Krzelewski is feeling lost in his life despite being a devoted husband and father. When his wife Kate accepts a visiting professorship at a Vermont college, Miles feels its a perfect opportunity for a reset. Soon Miles is entangled in a colorful cast of local characters where he begins to suspect a ridiculous local legend may actually be true.
The Most Anticipated July 2026 Book Releases
City of Widows
Nadia Hashimi
As the US withdraws its troops from Afghanistan after twenty years of war, three women must decide to fight or flee. After escaping a forced early marriage, Marjan fought with the Afghan army and will do anything to keep her daughter safe. Soraya led the army’s all-female combat force and is terrified her brother will turn her over to the Taliban. Mina’s face is known by everyone in Kabul for her work as a broadcast journalist. Regardless of what they decide, none of these women will meekly accept her fate.
The Romance Revival
Christina Lauren
Three years ago, scientist Emery Finch impulsively married Luca, a landscaper she met in Vegas who brighten her who world. Consumed by her research, Emery promises herself she’ll make up for her forgetfulness and absence in the relationship once she gets her breakthrough. Sadly, Luca is killed in a tragic accident. Breaking all the rules, Emery uses a new technology to bring Luca back. Except Luca doesn’t remember her so Emery is determined to use this second chance to revive their love.
Buyer Beware
Catherine Ryan Howard
Ellie is ready to start over in a new place where no one knows her name or her history. Her new house on Delaney Row seems like the perfect new beginning until she realizes its hiding someone else’s secrets. As Ellie unravels the house’s dark story, she finds herself on a collision course not only with the previous owners but with her own dark history.
This Changes Everything
Lisa Scottoline
One night, Julia calls her best friend Courtney and reaches her as she’s arriving at her grandmother’s farm in Pennsylvania. Julia has a overwhelming premonition moments before Courtney discovers her grandmother has been murdered and the killer is fleeing out the back door. Julia and Courtney enlist a hotshot lawyer to help prove it wasn’t a simple robbery. As Courtney begs Julia to trust her psychic intuition, Julia finds herself tangled in a murderous conspiracy that maker her a target.
The Parisian Heist
Jo Piazza
A struggling American artist in Paris, Emma has finally settled for a job cleaning for the city’s wealthy elite. When she meets Stella Swanson, the widow of a notorious art dealer, Emma is drawn into a world of dazzling wealth by Stella’s charming grandson. Back in the 1800s, Jo van Gogh inherits hundreds of paintings from her brother-in-law Vincent and is determined to prove their worth. But a catasrophic love affair and a vanish painting leaves her skeptical of those around her. The lives of the two women converge as Emma agrees to mastermind a daring heist at the Musée d’Orsay.
Some People
Parini Shroff
When her doctor insists to in-home supervision for seven days, Malti Patel is forced to allow her daughter’s soon-to-be-ex-husband Nathan to be her caretaker for a week. Kavya is in India studying for grad school and Malti just needs to spend one week with the man divorcing her daughter because of her childhood baggage. But Malti and Nathan are the two people who know Kavya best and the two people who have hurt her the most in this story of love, forgiveness, and the desire for understanding.
Ransom
Daniel Silva
In the 26th book of the series, Art restorer and legendary spy Gabriel Allon has a new case: Alice Winter, a British socialite who vanishes without a trace while on holiday with three old friends from Cambridge. Quickly Gabriel learns that Alice was not who she seemed and her husband is also guarding a dangerous secret. With an old enemy waiting to pounce on any misstep, Gabriel Allon must return to a life he thought he had left behind.
UPCOMING JULY 2026 BOOK RELEASES BY DATE
July 7th Book Releases
July 14th Book Releases
July 21st Book Releases
July 28th Book Releases
What July 2026 Book Releases are You Most Excited to Read?
What books can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Did I miss any July 2026 book releases that you are anticipating? As always, let me know in the comments!
More New Book Releases:
Maureen Harris says
What are the books you recommend for July that you are reading or have read?
Sorry, maybe I am not seeing that.
Thank you,
Maureen Harris
Rachael says
The only one I’ve read so far is Hot Girl Murder Club which was a fun thriller. I ordered The Shampoo Effect, which I guess it technically a late June release but I haven’t gotten it yet. I also really would like to read Dominion or The Half Life. I think I might do one on audiobook once I finish listening to the Finlay Donovan series.