January New Releases

 

There’s nothing quite like the fresh promise of January to dive into new adventures, especially if those adventures come wrapped in beautiful book covers and with tantalizing stories. We can’t wait to get started on these fabulous new January releases.

Remember, these are books our team is excited about, and are not featured in our book subscription boxes. Although, if you would like a sneak preview of what’s in store, make sure to check out our hints!

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros 

Release Date: 01/21/2025

If you’re still reeling from your last adventure at Basgiath War College, brace yourself—Rebecca Yarros is back with Onyx Storm, and Violet Sorrengail is far from done. With enemies closing in from every direction, Violet must embark on a perilous journey to save everything she loves: her dragons, her family, and him.

This romantic fantasy adventure promises epic battles, jaw-dropping secrets, and the kind of emotional stakes that will have readers turning pages late into the night. Fans of strong heroines and high-stakes magic won’t want to miss this one.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams 

Release Date: 1/7/2025

Small-town charm meets the rivals-to-lovers trope in Sarah Adams’ Beg, Borrow, or Steal. Emily Walker and Jack Bennett—two feuding second-grade teachers—find themselves reluctantly teaming up when Emily accidentally exposes her secret romance-writing side hustle.

With sharp wit, sizzling chemistry, and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, this lighthearted rom-com is the perfect pick for readers looking to add a little humor and heart to their January TBR.

Mystery Royale by Kaitlyn Cavalancia 

Release Date: 01/07/2025

What happens when you mix The Inheritance Games with Hotel Magnifique? You get Mystery Royale, a YA mystery full of family secrets, dangerous games, and magical twists. Sixteen-year-old Mullory Prudence enters a deadly competition to uncover the mystery of Xavier Stoutmire’s death—but with everyone a suspect, the truth may be harder to find than she thinks.

Fast-paced and dripping with intrigue, this genre-blending tale is perfect for fans of fantastical mysteries and thrillers.

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney 

Release Date: 01/14/2025

If thrillers are your jam, Alice Feeney’s Beautiful Ugly will not disappoint. Grady Green’s wife disappears under mysterious circumstances, leaving nothing behind but an open car door and a million unanswered questions. A year later, Grady escapes to a Scottish island to pick up the pieces… only to see a woman who looks exactly like his missing wife.

With its remote setting, twisty plot, and spine-chilling suspense, this atmospheric mystery keeps you guessing until the end.

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix 

Release Date: 01/14/2025

Grady Hendrix delivers a dark, empowering tale with Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Set in Florida in 1970, the story follows fifteen-year-old Neva, sent to Wellwood House for unwed mothers. Isolated and powerless, Neva discovers a mysterious book of witchcraft that promises power—but at a price.

Combining feminist themes with haunting atmospherics, Hendrix crafts a gripping story about resilience, revenge, and the lengths we’ll go to reclaim control.

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson 

Release Date: 01/28/2025

Fans of Black Cake, rejoice! Charmaine Wilkerson returns with Good Dirt, a poignant tale about family, identity, and the power of history. When Ebby Freeman’s world shatters at age 10, the mystery surrounding her brother’s death and a beloved family heirloom endures for decades.

Sweeping and evocative, Good Dirt is perfect for readers who love multi-generational sagas that explore how the past shapes the present.

Here Beside the Rising Tide by Emily Jane 

Release Date: 01/28/2025

What happens when childhood magic collides with adult realities? Emily Jane’s Here Beside the Rising Tide follows Jenn Lanaro, a bestselling author escaping her stressful life at Pearl Island… only to encounter a boy who claims to be her long-lost childhood friend, Timmy Caruso.

With sea monsters, quirky humor, and heartfelt moments, this speculative novel balances nostalgia, whimsy, and romance for a story that’s as enchanting as it is unforgettable.

A Sea of Unspoken Things by Adrienne Young 

Release Date: 01/07/2025

Adrienne Young explores grief, family secrets, and sibling bonds in A Sea of Unspoken Things. James Golden’s world shatters when her twin brother, Johnny, dies in a mysterious accident. But as she unravels his secrets, she’s forced to confront her own haunting past and a love she thought she’d buried.

With its atmospheric writing and suspenseful twists, this emotionally charged novel is a must-read for fans of family dramas and mysteries.

Immortal by Sue Lynn Tan 

Release Date: 01/07/2025

From the world of Daughter of the Moon Goddess comes Immortal, a lush fantasy romance about power, forbidden magic, and love. Liyen, heir to Tianxia, must form an alliance with the ruthless God of War to save her kingdom—but resisting their undeniable attraction may prove harder than winning a war.

Rich with intrigue, magic, and passion, Immortal will sweep fantasy fans into an unforgettable journey.

The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis 

Release Date: 01/07/2025

Fiona Davis takes readers from 1930s Egypt to 1970s New York in The Stolen Queen, a captivating historical mystery. Charlotte Cross, an anthropology student, and Annie Jenkins, a Met Gala assistant, find themselves on a hunt for a missing artifact that may hold ancient secrets—and modern dangers.

This sweeping adventure is perfect for fans of dual timelines, daring heroines, and glamorous settings.

Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young 

Release Date: 01/28/2025

High school sweethearts Sarah and Caleb find themselves at a crossroads in Out of the Woods, a heartwarming story about love, self-discovery, and second chances. When a failed event drives a wedge between them, they embark on a couples’ hiking trip to repair their relationship—nature-averse hilarity ensues.

Full of humor and heart, this romance is a delightful reminder that love is a journey worth fighting for.

We Could Be Rats by Emily Austin 

Release Date: 01/28/2025

In We Could Be Rats, Emily Austin explores sisterhood, loss, and the power of imagination. Sigrid, haunted by childhood pain and her small-town struggles, reconnects with her older sister Margit as they unravel the bonds that once held them together.

Poignant and uplifting, this novel celebrates resilience, family, and finding hope in the most unexpected places.

Start Your 2025 Reading Journey

With these 12 January releases, 2025 is already shaping up to be a phenomenal year for book lovers. Whether you’re into sweeping fantasies, gripping mysteries, or heartfelt family dramas, there’s a story here for you.

And if you’re looking for a way to stay on track with your reading goals, why not treat yourself (or a friend) to a Once Upon a Book Club subscription box? Each month, you’ll receive a newly released book along with beautifully wrapped gifts that bring key moments in the story to life. It’s the perfect way to add a little magic to your reading journey.

Here’s to a new year filled with unforgettable stories, new adventures, and plenty of pages turned. Happy reading!