A Curated List of Must-Read Books for This Spring
There’s something undeniably magical about diving into a captivating novel while on holiday. It’s the perfect way to unwind, escape reality, and let your imagination run wild. This spring, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 most anticipated fiction releases that are sure to keep you entertained all summer long. Whether you’re in the mood for gripping thrillers, heartwarming dramas, or clever satires, there’s something here for every reader.
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Caro Claire Burke’s debut novel is making waves in the literary world, already being adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway. The story follows Natalie Heller Mills, who has built an Instagram-perfect life filled with sourdough, farm sunsets, and a charming cowboy husband. However, when she wakes up to find her idyllic world subtly wrong, the cracks in her carefully curated existence begin to show. Is it a hoax, a show, or something far darker? This book promises to keep you guessing and laughing as you relax by the pool.
£9.99
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The Names by Florence Knapp
Shortlisted for the British Book Awards Debut Fiction Book of the Year, this novel explores how much a name can shape a life. Set in 1987, it begins with a single moment of hesitation from a mother who defies (or doesn’t) a family tradition, leading to three parallel futures. Each version of her son—Bear, Julian, or Gordon—unfolds with different consequences, creating an emotional and thought-provoking story about identity and inheritance.
£4.99
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The Pretender by Jo Harkin
Waterstones’ Fiction Book of the Month and shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize, this historical epic is a must-read. Set in 1483, it follows John Collan, a peasant boy thrust into royal politics and groomed as Edward Plantagenet, heir to the English throne. Packed with intrigue, deception, and revenge, it’s a wild ride through one of history’s most chaotic moments. Think Wolf Hall meets Fleabag, as described by The Times as “a funny, moving, filthy and original” read.
£7.99
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Want to Know a Secret? by Freida McFadden
Fans of The Housemaid will love this twisty psychological thriller. April Masterson, a baking YouTube star with a spotless online persona, hides secrets off-camera. As whispers of late-night disappearances and illicit affairs surface, the glossy façade starts to crumble. With jaw-dropping twists and a bonkers finale, this book is perfect for beach reading.
£4.99
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When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzén
This Swedish bestseller has been translated into English and is shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize. It follows Bo, an elderly man in rural Sweden, whose world is shrinking until the threat of losing his beloved dog forces long-buried family tensions to the surface. It’s a tender, deeply moving story about memory and making peace with the past, ideal for a holiday tearjerker.
£7.99
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Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
An instant Sunday Times bestseller, this chaotic, darkly funny family drama is already being hailed as the book of the year. The Flynn sisters’ lives spiral after their parents open up their marriage, leading to questionable boyfriends, secret dealings, and a wilderness reform camp stint. When the youngest, Harper, becomes obsessed with exposing a shady local billionaire, the whole family is dragged into a conspiracy that’s as bonkers as it is addictive.
£16.99
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Land by Maggie O’Farrell
From the author of Hamnet, this sweeping, atmospheric novel is a must-preorder. Set in post-Famine Ireland, it follows a father and son tasked with mapping a scarred landscape. Their mission becomes more personal after a mysterious encounter changes everything. Spanning generations, it’s a haunting, richly imagined epic about what the land holds onto and the secrets it refuses to let go.
£12.50
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Murder Bimbo by Rebecca Novack
One of the most anticipated debuts of 2026, Murder Bimbo is an unhinged satire with ‘cult hit’ written all over it. It follows a 32-year-old sex worker who kills a politician and tries to spin her story via a viral podcast. As the novel continues, it becomes clear that our protagonist is far more manipulative than she first appears. Sharp, chaotic, and part thriller, part media satire, it’s perfect for a rollicking read.
£16.99
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The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman
Fans of The Thursday Murder Club will be thrilled with this latest instalment. The gang is back, and this time, they’re planning a wedding alongside their usual murder-solving chaos. While Joyce is busy with table plans and Elizabeth is quietly grieving, a chance encounter pulls them into a high-stakes mystery involving an uncrackable code and a very determined villain. This latest instalment is as comforting as it is clever.
£11.99
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Half His Age by Jennette McCurdy
After the success of her memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died, Jennette McCurdy returns with a bold, darkly funny debut novel. It follows Waldo, a sharp, messy teenager fixated on her much older creative writing teacher. What unfolds is an uncomfortable, razor-sharp exploration of desire, sex, and power, as Waldo barrels towards what she thinks she wants, consequences be damned. It’s a conversation-starting read, perfect for those looking for something edgier.
£13.99
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