New Book Releases for October
- Alis Page
- Nov 13, 2024
- 16 min read
Updated: May 10
As the leaves change colours and the air turns crisp, For me, October brings with it two things I absolutely adore: the magic of autumn and a treasure trove of exciting new book releases. This month has something for every kind of reader, from gripping thrillers and enchanting fantasy tales to captivating historical fiction and swoon-worthy romance. Here are some of the books that have truly caught my eye this month—happy reading!
Historical New Book Releases
Historical fiction has always held a special place in my reading life. It’s a genre that lets me travel back in time, experiencing the sights, sounds, and emotions of different eras through the lives of richly drawn characters. There's something magical about how these stories, woven with care by authors who dedicate countless hours to research, make history come alive in a way that textbooks never quite manage.
For me, exploring new book releases under the genre of historical fiction is like peering into a window that reveals the diverse cultures, traditions, and everyday struggles of people from other times. Each book is a chance to walk in someone else’s shoes and feel the pulse of another world.
One book that recently caught my attention is Cocktails Before Midnight—a captivating read that left me eagerly adding more titles to my list. I can't wait to see where the next historical fiction story takes me!
Cocktails Before Midnight by Tanya E Williams
Series: A Hotel Hamilton book 3
Pages: 280
About Book: lara and Louisa Wilson, maids at the illustrious hotel, are swept up in the thrill of The Hamilton’s first holiday season. Louisa, buoyed by the excitement of her theatrical debut, sets her sights on Hollywood and befriending a director staying at the hotel. Meanwhile, Clara, newly promoted to a prestigious eighth-floor position, navigates the complexities of her role while a blossoming romance stirs her heart.
But the joy of the season starts to fade as the sisters find themselves ensnared in a sinister ploy that threatens all they hold dear. Caught in the crosshairs of Louisa’s Hollywood ambitions, Clara’s budding romance, and with their very livelihoods at stake, they must confront a formidable challenge that could cost them everything. Will they find the strength to protect what matters most, or will they lose it all?
Much Ado About Margaret by Madeleine Roux
Publisher: Random House
Pages: 336
About Book: Madeleine Roux's next season in Regency England follows a delicious enemies to lovers relationship between an aspiring writer and her soon-to-be publisher.
The Rhino Keeper by Jillian Forsberg
Publisher: History Through Fiction LLC
Pages: 270
About Book: 022 - College student Andrea Clarkson uncovers a historical mystery while studying abroad in Holland. From hidden desk drawers come unusual historical documents featuring a rhinoceros. On a lichen-covered eighteenth-century grave, the same animal is carved. When an expanding river forces exhumation, what she finds buried there is life-changing. Andrea faces her nightmares to retrieve what a grave robber steals: valuable proof of a long-forgotten history.
1740 - Ship captain Douwemout van der Meer has something not seen in two hundred years: the only rhino in Europe, called Clara. Douwemout and Clara tour Europe, enthralling peasants and queens, hoping to change popular views that rhinos are man-eating beasts. Absolute wonder follows, but when a priest sees idol worship and becomes hell-bent on destroying her, Clara, Douwe, and the lives of her bonded caretakers are at risk.
As Douwe becomes protectively dedicated to adventuring with Clara, unexpected love finds him, and his heart starts to tear. Will he choose a life with a traveling wonder-beast forever, or can love exist in many forms for the rhino keeper?
The Colony Club by Shelley Noble
Publisher: William Morrow Paperback
Pages: 384
About Book: When young Gilded Age society matron Daisy Harriman is refused a room at the Waldorf because they don’t cater to unaccompanied females, she takes matters into her own hands. She establishes the Colony Club, the first women’s club in Manhattan, where visiting women can stay overnight and dine with their friends; where they can discuss new ideas, take on social issues, and make their voices heard. She hires the most sought-after architect in New York, Stanford White, to design the clubhouse.
As “the best dressed actress on the Rialto” Elsie de Wolfe has an eye for décor, but her career is stagnating. So when White asks her to design the clubhouse interiors, she jumps at the chance and the opportunity to add a woman’s touch. He promises to send her an assistant, a young woman he’s hired as a draftsman.
Raised in the Lower East Side tenements, Nora Bromely is determined to become an architect in spite of hostility and sabotage from her male colleagues. She is disappointed and angry when White “foists” her off on this new women’s club project.
But when White is murdered and the ensuing Trial of the Century discloses the architect’s scandalous personal life, fearful backers begin to withdraw their support. It’s questionable whether the club will survive long enough to open.
Daisy, Elsie, and Nora have nothing in common but their determination to carry on. But to do so, they must overcome not only society’s mores but their own prejudices about women, wealth, and each other. Together they strive to transform Daisy’s dream of the Colony Club into a reality, a place that will nurture social justice and ensure the work of the women who earned the nickname “Mink Brigade” far into the future.
Fantasy New Book Releases
October is a magical time for us fantasy lovers, with a whole new set of worlds and characters waiting to be explored. There's nothing like reading a fresh fantasy release, escaping to realms of mystery, adventure, and magic where heroes set out on unforgettable quests.
This month, with all the new book releases I was ready to be transported to enchanted forests and mystical kingdoms, places where dragons soar, wizards cast spells, and heroes rise to epic challenges. Each book feels like a personal journey, with intricate plots and captivating characters that linger in my mind long after I’ve turned the final page.
October really is a time of wonder and excitement for fantasy fans like me—I can’t wait to see what magical stories await! Here are my chosen four this month.
Vilest Things by Chloe Ging
Series: Flesh and False Gods book 2
Publisher: Hodderscape
Pages: 384
About Book: The games are over. Let chaos reign.
Calla Tuoleimi has done the impossible. Against all odds, she won San-Er's bloody games and eliminated King Kasa, her tyrant uncle and the former ruler of Talin. She now serves as royal advisor to August Shenzhi, who has risen to the throne.
Only Calla knows it isn't really August.
Anton Makusa is still furious about Calla's betrayal in the final round of the games. In an impossible feat, he took over August's body to survive, and has no intention of giving up this newfound power. But when his first love awakens from a years-long coma and reveals a secret that threatens the monarchy, chaos erupts.
As tensions come to a boiling point, Calla and Anton will have to journey to the kingdom's furthest reaches to prevent anarchy - before their real identities are exposed . . .
Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London
Series: Dial Delights
Publisher: Piatkus
Pages: 400
About Book: Tess Rosenbloom is no stranger to the dark. A grad school dropout and chronic insomniac, she spends her nights managing a chic Brooklyn hotel and her days curled up with her favourite vampire novels, Blood Feud. Tess even dabbles in online conspiracies that Blood Feud is real - it's fun to hunt for clues! But deep down, Tess doesn't believe vampires actually exist . . .Until one walks through her door. It turns out Blood Feud is real, and the sexy villain of the novels is trapped. Eager to escape her life, Tess agrees to help rescue him, and soon she's in a fantasia of lavish palaces and enchanted forests, on a secret island where the sun never shines and she's surrounded by deadly vampires - and against her better judgment, she's falling in love with one of them. (And unbeknownst to Tess, her estranged best friend is having a sapphic affair with a beautiful vampire of her own back in New York.)Visiting the world of your favourite story is any fan's dream, but will Tess be able to outrun the demons of her past (and vampires of her present) before it becomes a nightmare? In this darkly glamorous rom-com, Tess will find out whether it's worth risking her neck - and her heart - for a chance to reclaim her future.
Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi
Publisher: Del Rey
Pages: 304
About Book: Dina is a skilled kitchen witch and café owner, serving magic-infused pastries to her loyal customers. But it’s hard not to feel something is missing when you’re cursed to hurt anyone who falls for you.
Scott is a museum curator, recently back in London after a brutal breakup 2 years ago, and looking to make up for all the time he missed. He’s determined to be perfect best man at his best friend’s upcoming wedding, but his plans take an expected turn when he meets the bewitching maid of honour.
After a weekend in the countryside full of peculiar hedge mazes, palm readings by candlelight, and a midnight Halloween ritual, there’s no denying the chemistry between them. But there’s just one problem: the hex still holds, and Dina knows that Scott is in danger.
Can Dina break the spell before it breaks both their hearts?
The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling
Series: Graves Glen Series Book 3
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Pages: 288
About Book: A delightfully spooky novel following Bowen Penhallow and the girl he feels strangely drawn to - especially when she becomes his only hope of salvation after a strong spell sends them to a Yuletide celebration . . . more than 50 years in the past.
Thriller New Book Releases
October for me, is the perfect month for reading thriller books! The eerie atmosphere and mysterious vibe of the season are a paradise for anyone craving suspenseful reads that send shivers down the spine. With the leaves changing colour and the nights stretching longer, October sets the stage for truly captivating stories that keep me on the edge of my seat.
From gripping psychological thrillers to chilling murder mysteries, this month brings a wealth of new book releases under the genre thriller books to satisfy even the most seasoned suspense lovers. Whether I’m in the mood for jaw-dropping twists, characters with hidden agendas, or settings thick with foreboding, October offers a thrilling range of choices.
So, I'll grab my favourite blanket, a steaming cup of tea, and lose myself in the spine-tingling narratives this month has in store—stories guaranteed to linger in my thoughts long after the final page is turned. Here are my chosen four this month.
The Puzzle Box by Danielle Trussoni
Series: Mike Bring Series Book 2
Publisher: Random House Inc
Pages: 336
About Book: The world’s greatest puzzle master sets out to solve the most dangerous enigma of his life—or die trying—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Puzzle Master, hailed as ""thrilling"" by David Baldacci. This rip-roaring adventure thriller is an escapist puzzle box of delights: a neurodivergent hero, an unsolvable mystery, and death hanging over every move - Catherine Steadman, author of Something in the Water. [An] astounding sequel . . . This clever and satisfying novel cements Mike Brink as an action hero for the ages - Publishers Weekly, starred review It is the Year of the Wood Dragon, and the ingenious Mike Brink has been invited to Tokyo, Japan to open the legendary Dragon Box, a mysterious nineteenth-century puzzle that has remained unsolved for over 150 years. The box was constructed during one of Japan’s most tumultuous periods, when the samurai class was disbanded and the shogun lost power. In this moment of national crisis, Emperor Meiji placed a priceless Imperial secret in the Dragon Box, locked it, and hid it in a temple far from the palace. Only two people knew how to open the box: Meiji and the box’s sadistic constructor, Ogawa. Both died without telling a soul what was inside, or how to open it. Since then, the Imperial family has held a clandestine contest to open the box every twelve years, in the Year of the Dragon. The Dragon Box is devilishly difficult, filled with tricks, booby traps, poisons, and mind-bending twists. Every puzzle master who has attempted to open it has died in the process. But Brink is not any puzzle master. With his uncanny abilities, he may be the only person alive who can crack it. Yet, his determination is echoed by a radical group—headed by two sisters descended from an illustrious but disgraced samurai clan—who have vowed to claim Meiji’s secret. They know that the box’s contents have the power to change the fate of Japan, and the world. When they align with Brink’s arch rival, Jameson Sedge, Brink is up against the most dangerous challenge of his life. Mike Brink’s quest to open The Dragon Box launches him on breakneck adventure across Japan, from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo to the pristine forests of Hakone to historic Kyoto to an ancient cave in Kyushu. In the process, he discovers the power of Meiji’s hidden treasure, and-- more crucially-- the true nature of his extraordinary talent.
Ty by Brian Montgomery
Pages: 236
About Book: In a city gripped by fear and ruled by the iron fist of Albanian kingpin Kajan Marnesh (K.M.), fourteen-year-old Tyrone Lewis’ (Ty) life is a relentless battle for survival. Hardened by neglect and violence, Ty's world is turned upside down when he and his friend Asha discover an abandoned baby beside its dead young mother in an alleyway. This unexpected responsibility ignites a new purpose within him.
However, their journey through the gritty streets of London and the struggle to protect the baby lands Ty in jail, which is a harsh reality for a boy already burdened by life's cruelties. But even behind bars, Ty's resolve only strengthens. Upon his release, he is more determined than ever to change.
Ty forms the Hay Patrollers, a gang with a difference. Alongside Asha and other like-minded youths, they become the guardians of their community, providing support and safety where needed most. From encouraging the youth to return to school, running errands for the elderly, wiping out racism and knife crime, to standing up against the oppressive forces that haunt their streets, the Hay Patrollers are a beacon of hope in a dark world.
This gripping story follows Ty's transformation from a victim of circumstance to a leader of change. His journey is one of resilience, bravery, and the unyielding belief that even the most unlikely heroes can make a difference.
The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins
Publisher: Penguin
Pages: 416
About Book: For twelve hours each day, the Scottish island of Eris is cut off from the mainland. No way in. No way out.
The island’s only house was once home to Vanessa, whose notoriously unfaithful husband disappeared twenty years ago. Now this remote and beautiful place is home to Grace . . . a solitary creature of the tides, guarding the island’s past.
But far away in London, a stranger has just made a startling discovery - a human bone where no human bone should be. And in that moment Grace’s precious isolation is threatened.
How will she respond? Can she be trusted? Or is it Grace who should be afraid?
Suddenly this is a very dangerous time to be alone . . .
The Night Counsellor by LK Pang
Pages: 380
About Book: When silence dawns, only dusk will break it.
In the shadowy corridors of The Beaumont, a mental hospital haunted by its dark history as an asylum, a disturbing mystery unfolds when in 1953, a woman is found mute, naked, and drenched in blood on the outskirts of West Yorkshire. With no memory of her past and no one to claim her, she is dubbed Patient A and placed under the care of the institution’s staff.
Counsellor Jane Galloway, is drawn to Patient A’s case with a resolve to restore her ability to speak, no matter how unorthodox her methods appear to be. However, her efforts to penetrate the silence meet with stark opposition from the hospital's rigid hierarchy. The situation takes a spine-chilling turn when whispers in the night link Patient A to a recently discovered corpse.
As Jane edges closer to unravelling the eerie connection between her patient and the mysterious death, she must challenge a web of institutional resistance and hidden agendas. With time running against them, Jane’s quest to help Patient A reclaim her voice grows desperate. But in the harrowing halls of The Beaumont, speaking up can be deadly.
Will Patient A find her voice before the shadows of her past come to silence her forever?
Romance New Book Releases
No October reading list is complete without titles that tug at the heart. There’s something about the crisp air and cosy evenings that makes getting lost in love stories feel extra special this time of year. October’s new releases offer everything from swoon-worthy slow burns to passionate, whirlwind romances that sweep you off your feet.
Each book brings a unique twist, whether it’s love sparked, a rekindled connection, or a first-time encounter that changes everything. This month, I’m ready to escape into worlds where emotions run high, connections deepen, and happily-ever-afters bloom in the most unexpected ways.
So, if you’re like me and love a good love story, October’s new romance releases are the perfect companions for a cosy night in, and my chosen four are....
Hate The One You’re With by Kendall Hale
Series: Happily Ever Mishaps book 4
Pages: 374
About Book: Hate The One You’re With is a fiery second-chance sizzling romance in which two former spouses are forced back into each other's lives—whether they like it or not.
My grandmother always had a flair for drama and was a master manipulator.
At eighteen, I was forced to marry so I could pay my college tuition. Enter Caleb Cunningham: my best friend’s brother and a hot Navy SEAL.
I needed my inheritance, his family needed money to cover his dad’s hospital bills. At the time, it seemed like a win-win—two acquaintances just helping each other out.
The marriage didn’t last, but that’s okay. It was a marriage of convenience, nothing more.
At least, that’s what I told myself.
Over a decade later, Grandma’s still pulling the strings from beyond the grave.
Her last wish? For me to live with my estranged husband for six months, or I lose everything—my company and my employees’ livelihoods included.
Now, I’m stuck with Caleb, the rugged, infuriating, and the man who once broke my heart. The deal is simple: he’ll stay with me for the next six months as long as I give him... well, everything.
He wants control.
He wants my grandmother’s penthouse.
And, of course, he wants the Bentley.
Caleb seems determined to make my life hell, and he’s enjoying every minute of it.
But if he thinks I’m going down without a fight, he’s got another thing coming. It takes two to make a marriage, and it’ll take two to crash it into the ground.
Perfect Fit by Clare Gilmore
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Pages: 3444
About Book: Josephine Davis has spent her entire twenties building Revenant, a fashion brand headquartered in downtown Austin. When her biggest investor orders Josie to hire a consultant, the last person she expects to be working with is Will Grant – the twin brother of her ex best friend.
Sure, Will and Josie may have shared one mistake of a kiss during senior spring break nine years ago, but they’ve never been friends. She remembers him as moody; he always thought of her as shallow. Romance isn’t on the table for either of them until they blink, and realize there’s a reason they can’t stay away from each other.
But there’s Will’s sister to consider, whom Josie hasn’t spoken with since their falling out. Not to mention, Will and Josie live seventeen hundred miles apart. And it’s not like she has time for a boyfriend anyway when she’s an overworked CEO. As Josie’s burnout looms while she falls deeper and harder for Will, she contends with the fact that eventually, she’ll have to make a choice: stay alone to be productive, or slow down to be in love.
Wish I Were Here by Melissa Wiesner
Publisher: Headline Eternal
Pages: 368
About Book: What if losing herself is the key to finding where she truly belongs?
Catherine Lipton plans everything. After a chaotic childhood, the stability of her life as a maths professor is essential, even if, just sometimes, she wishes she could be someone else, someone with a totally different life.
Catherine's tidy life is running smoothly until her entire identity - from her Social Security number to her driver's license to her academic record - mysteriously disappears and there's suddenly no evidence Catherine Lipton ever existed.
With no ID and no other options, Catherine reluctantly accepts help from her exasperatingly laid-back - and infuriatingly attractive - doorman, Luca Morelli. Before long, by-the-book Catherine finds herself bending all the rules with the charismatic Luca - from taking meetings in smoky bars to breaking into hospital record rooms - and having a surprising amount of fun.
As Catherine unravels the truth behind her identity's disappearance, she may discover that the real Catherine has been missing for a lot longer than she realised.
Catch and Keep by Erin Hahn
Publisher: St Martin's Griffin
Pages: 320
About Book: In Erin Hahn's latest cosy, swoony romance, Maren Laughlin has been fishing her whole life, but she’s finally ready to be caught. At thirty-three, Maren Laughlin's just turned down her boyfriend’s proposal, walked away from her decade-long position as a park ranger, and returned to her childhood playground in Northern Wisconsin to accept her inheritance: a decrepit waterfront bait shop. After a lifetime of letting things happen to her, she’s ready to start making her own moves, even if everyone else thinks she’s making the wrong ones. Well, not everyone—at least the local heartstopper and resort owner is on her side. Josiah Cole has made some missteps in his life, but he’s proud of what he has: two awesome kids and the keys to the kind of getaway spot that has families coming back every summer– their up north home away from home. After his marriage dissolved, leaving him a single dad, he feels he’s the last person to judge Maren for her recent transformation (even if his best friend, her brother, wants him to feel otherwise). Besides, he genuinely likes having her around. She’s a breath of fresh air, his kids adore her (not to mention her dog, Rogers), and it doesn’t hurt that she’s beautiful. Things between Maren and Joe are easy. So easy, they’re fully immersed in the middle before they even decide to begin. It’s not a question of should they, but rather can they make it last? Are things too easy, or is this just how real love works? In Erin Hahn’s heart warmingly sexy Catch and Keep, Maren and Joe have to be brave enough to find out.
Book Highlights for October
With so many new releases across the genres such as historical fiction, fantasy, thriller, and romance, October offers an abundance of reading options to satisfy any literary appetite. Whether you prefer exploring the complexities of history, venturing into fantasy realms, solving thrilling mysteries, or diving into heartfelt romances, this month has something for everyone.
As you curl up with a book this October, consider these newly released titles. They are each a unique journey filled with emotion, adventure, and intrigue, ensuring that your reading experience this fall is nothing short of exceptional. Happy reading!
Please let me know if you have enjoyed reading any of these. I love hearing from you.
Love Alis x
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