New Books of June 2025
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June has arrived, bringing with it sun-drenched days, vibrant blooms, and the perfect opportunity to update your reading list with some of the season’s most exciting new releases. As summer begins to unfold across the United States, there’s no better way to embrace the warmth and energy of the month than by getting lost in stories filled with adventure, laughter, and heartfelt moments. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool, enjoying a picnic in the park, or seeking a cozy escape indoors, these June book picks are sure to keep you captivated all month long.
A Diverse Selection of Must-Reads Awaits this June
The Book Guide’ editorial team creates a monthly list of popular new books, based on several ratings. The monthly curated preview of new books covers various genres, including contemporary fiction, historical fiction, mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, horror, young adult, and nonfiction. This month, three standout titles demand your attention.
First up, Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid is a dazzling new addition from the beloved author known for her immersive storytelling and unforgettable characters. In this novel, Reid explores the intoxicating highs and haunting lows of fame, weaving together the stories of three women whose lives intersect at a legendary Los Angeles hotel. With her signature blend of glamour, heartbreak, and razor-sharp insight, Reid delivers a poignant meditation on identity, ambition, and the cost of chasing your dreams. Fans of her previous work will find themselves swept away by the emotional depth and cinematic atmosphere of this must-read.
If you’re in the mood for romance with a twist, Caught Up by Navessa Allen is the book to reach for. Allen’s latest is a witty, slow-burn love story set against the backdrop of a bustling city. When two fiercely independent souls are thrown together by a series of unexpected events, sparks fly—and so do complications. Allen’s sharp dialogue, relatable characters, and heartfelt exploration of vulnerability make this a standout in contemporary romance. Prepare for late-night reading sessions and plenty of swoon-worthy moments.
For those craving edge-of-your-seat suspense, Death Row by Freida McFadden is an absolute page-turner. McFadden, the queen of psychological thrillers, returns with a chilling tale about a defense attorney who takes on the case of a lifetime—a death row inmate who insists he’s innocent. As the investigation unfolds, secrets, lies, and shocking revelations keep you guessing until the final, jaw-dropping twist. McFadden’s knack for building tension and her knack for surprise make this a must-read for thriller fans.
What to Read This June 2025: Best Book Releases.
June’s new releases deliver a dynamic mix of glamour, romance, and suspense—perfect for long afternoons in the sun or cozy evenings indoors. Don’t miss these standout books that are sure to make your summer reading unforgettable.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere is a sweeping, emotionally charged novel set against the backdrop of NASA’s 1980s space shuttle program. The story follows Joan Goodwin, an astrophysics professor whose dreams of becoming an astronaut come true when she is selected for NASA’s first cohort of female candidates. As Joan endures the grueling demands of astronaut training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, she forges deep connections with her fellow trainees—especially Vanessa Ford, an enigmatic aeronautical engineer with whom Joan develops a secret, life-changing romance. The novel masterfully blends technical detail and historical authenticity with a heartfelt exploration of ambition, identity, and the sacrifices required to pursue both love and greatness, particularly for women and queer individuals in a restrictive era. Reid’s signature style—intimate character work woven into a richly researched historical setting—makes Atmosphere a poignant meditation on the boundaries we push, both in outer space and within ourselves.
Caught Up by Navessa Allen
“Caught Up” by Navessa Allen is a fast-paced dark romance and the second book in the Into Darkness trilogy. It follows Nico “Junior” Trocci, a ruthless man with mafia ties who has long kept his distance from Lauren Marchetti, the sweet and shy girl he once loved in high school. When Junior discovers Lauren has transformed into a strikingly beautiful woman involved with a nearby play club and social media presence, his curiosity turns into a dark obsession. Their flirtatious online exchanges ignite a powerful connection, forcing them to confront their past and decide how far they will go for a second chance at love. The novel features morally grey characters, intense desire, and mature themes, including violence and kink, making it a gripping and provocative read for fans of dark romance.
Death Row by Freida McFadden
Death Row by Freida McFadden is a psychological thriller novella centered on Talia Kemper, a woman on death row for allegedly murdering her husband, Noel. Despite having an alibi and maintaining her innocence, Talia faces imminent execution with all appeals denied. The story unfolds through a dual timeline, revealing Talia’s past life with Noel alongside her present confinement. A shocking twist arises when Talia spots a man resembling her supposedly deceased husband, raising questions about his fate and her conviction. The narrative explores themes of perception versus reality, guilt, and the reliability of memory, culminating in a twist that forces readers to reconsider everything they thought they knew. McFadden’s taut prose and immersive style create a tense atmosphere, making Death Row a gripping and emotionally resonant read.
Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell
“Don’t Let Him In” by Lisa Jewell is a gripping domestic thriller that intertwines the lives of three women—Nina, her daughter Ash, and Martha—who become entangled with the same enigmatic man, Nick Radcliffe. After the sudden death of Nina’s husband Paddy, Nick, a charming and seemingly trustworthy man, enters Nina’s life, sparking suspicion in Ash. Meanwhile, Martha, struggling with her distant husband Alistair’s frequent absences, also finds herself drawn into a web of deception. As Ash investigates Nick’s past, the women uncover a dark, manipulative truth that threatens to shatter their lives. Jewell’s novel is a slow-burning, twisty thriller exploring themes of trust, trauma, and manipulation, with a narrative that builds tension through multiple perspectives and timelines.
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab is a genre-defying novel that spans over 500 years and follows the intertwined lives of three queer women—Maria, Charlotte, and Alice—who are vampires struggling with hunger, love, and rage across different historical periods. Maria, from 1532 Spain, faces a restrictive marriage and seeks escape; Charlotte, in 1827 London, confronts scandal and desires freedom; and Alice, a modern-day college student in Boston, wrestles with grief and identity. Schwab blends gothic and urban fantasy elements with lyrical prose to explore themes of obsession, loss, and the erosion of humanity, while offering a fresh take on vampire mythology and the complexities of immortal life and love.
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager
With a Vengeance by Riley Sager is a gripping revenge-fueled locked-room thriller set aboard a luxury train traveling from Philadelphia to Chicago in 1954. The story follows Anna Matheson, who twelve years after her family was destroyed by six conspirators, lures them onto the train under false pretenses to confront them and deliver them to justice. However, her plan unravels when one of the passengers is murdered, and it becomes a deadly game of survival as another avenger on board begins killing. As the train speeds toward its destination, Anna must hunt the killer while protecting those she despises, navigating a tense and morally complex mystery filled with twists and psychological depth.
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston
Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston is a magical romance novel centered on Joni Lark, a successful songwriter facing a creative block after her mother’s dementia diagnosis. Returning to her hometown of Vienna Shores, North Carolina, Joni hopes to find inspiration amid family struggles and the impending closure of their music venue. She begins to hear a mysterious melody in her head, which belongs to a gruff yet intriguing musician named Sebastian, with whom she shares an inexplicable telepathic connection. Together, they must finish the haunting song that binds them, navigating their differences and growing feelings along the way. The story explores themes of love, loss, and healing with a blend of music and magical realism.
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater is a historical novel set in January 1942 at the luxurious Avallon Hotel & Spa in West Virginia, which is built around magical mineral springs. The story follows June Porter Hudson, the hotel’s general manager, who must navigate the complex challenge of hosting captured Axis diplomats—Nazis and Japanese imperialists—after the U.S. government repurposes the hotel for their detention during World War II. As June strives to maintain the hotel’s opulence and protect its mystical springs, she faces moral and personal conflicts intensified by the war’s encroachment. The novel blends historical fact with elements of fantasy, exploring themes of loyalty, class, and the cost of luxury amid wartime tensions, while also featuring a compelling romance and richly drawn characters. Stiefvater’s debut adult novel is praised for its atmospheric setting, intricate plot, and the unique perspective it offers on the impact of war on a secluded community.
The Bachelorette Party by Camilla Sten
“The Bachelorette Party” by Camilla Sten is a gripping psychological thriller set on a remote Swedish island where four friends annually reunite, but a decade ago, four women mysteriously disappeared there. The story follows Tessa Nilsson, a former true crime podcaster whose career was derailed by scandal, as she attends her best friend Anneliese’s bachelorette party at a yoga retreat on the same island. Tessa sees this as her last chance to uncover the truth behind the cold case known as the Nacka Four. The novel skillfully intertwines dual timelines, building suspense with twists and secrets, exploring themes of friendship, betrayal, and revenge. It is a fast-paced, atmospheric thriller that keeps readers engaged until its shocking conclusion.
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark
The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark is a gripping mystery thriller that centers on Olivia Dumont, a ghostwriter who is forced to confront her estranged father Vincent Taylor’s dark past. In June 1975, two of Vincent’s siblings were brutally murdered, and although Vincent was suspected, he maintained his innocence. Decades later, Vincent, now a successful horror author battling dementia, asks Olivia to ghostwrite his final book, which will reveal the truth about that tragic night. As Olivia delves into her father’s chaotic notes, she uncovers family secrets and questions his guilt, leading to a suspenseful and emotional journey through generational trauma and buried lies. The novel is praised for its slow-burning tension, multiple perspectives, and deep exploration of family dynamics, making it a compelling read for fans of psychological thrillers and mysteries.
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby
King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby is a dark, gripping Southern crime drama centered on Roman Carruthers, a successful financial advisor who returns to his struggling hometown in Virginia after his father is critically injured in a suspicious car accident. The family owns a crematorium, and Roman’s siblings, Neveah and Dante, are burdened with their own demons—Neveah managing the family business and Dante sinking into dangerous debt with local criminals. Roman uses his financial acumen to try to save his brother, but soon finds himself entangled with ruthless gangsters, forcing him into a Faustian bargain that threatens to consume him. The novel explores themes of family loyalty, trauma, and survival amid violence and moral compromise, with a tense, fast-paced narrative that evokes a Southern Godfather-like epic.
Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine
Don’t Open Your Eyes by Liv Constantine is a psychological thriller that follows Annabelle Reynolds, a woman with a seemingly perfect life—a devoted husband, two daughters, and a fulfilling career—who begins to experience vivid, disturbing dreams that turn out to be premonitions of a terrifying future. As details from her nightmares start to come true, including a vision of her daughter Scarlett in imminent danger, Annabelle must navigate a web of threats and secrets, questioning how much control she has over her fate and who might want to harm her family. The novel is known for its suspenseful plot, multiple points of view, and unexpected twists, culminating in revelations about betrayal and hidden family secrets.
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick
The Poppy Fields by Nikki Erlick is a speculative novel centered on a unique treatment facility in the California desert where people suffering from profound grief can undergo an experimental procedure that allows them to sleep through their pain and awaken healed, though potentially with unsettling side effects. The story follows four strangers—Ava, Ray, Sasha, and Sky—and a dog as they journey to this controversial center, each carrying their own secrets and motivations related to loss and healing. Through their intertwined stories, the novel explores themes of grief, hope, resilience, and the complex choices people make to cope with trauma. Erlick’s narrative delves into the deeply personal and universal nature of healing, raising questions about how far one is willing to go to mend a broken heart.
Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray
Heir of Storms by Lauryn Hamilton Murray is a young adult romantasy novel that follows Blaze, a Rain Singer born into a powerful fire-wielding family whose birth unleashed a catastrophic storm killing thousands. Hidden away for years due to her feared and misunderstood powers, Blaze is suddenly thrust into the spotlight when she and her twin brother Flint are chosen to compete in the Choosing Rite, a series of trials to determine the future rulers of the empire. As Blaze navigates court intrigue, a complex love triangle, and the challenge of mastering her unique water-based magic, she must confront her past and find the courage to claim her own destiny. The novel blends elemental magic, political competition, and personal growth, offering a fresh take on classic YA fantasy tropes with strong characters and a richly imagined world.
The Girls Who Grew by Big Leila Mottley
The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley is a powerful novel about three teenage mothers—Adela, Emory, and Simone—living in the small town of Padua Beach, Florida. Each faces the challenges of young motherhood while navigating abandonment, family rejection, and societal judgment. The story explores their fierce friendship and resilience as they support each other through love, betrayal, and the struggle to define their own paths. Mottley portrays these young women with depth and compassion, highlighting the complexities of motherhood and girlhood without romanticizing their hardships. The novel captures themes of survival, community, and personal agency, offering an explosive and hopeful perspective on what it means to grow up as a young woman today.
