The Most Exciting List Of February 2026 Book Releases
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Ready to discover your next literary obsession? Explore the hottest February 2026 book releases, including my top picks and the most talked-about titles of the month.
It’s always exciting to start a new month, especially when you get to plan out your reading list! There are some fantastic books coming out soon, ranging from romantic novels to popular New York Times bestsellers, thought-provoking coming-of-age stories, and gripping historical fiction novels.
With so many new books being published every month, it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to include in your reading list. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!
Every month, I’ll highlight some of the most exciting upcoming releases that you should remember. As an eclectic reader, I balance my reading list and recommendations with a mix of genres from both established and debut authors to give you the best and most varied reading experience possible. So, I’m confident that you’ll find something you’ll love on this list.
Happy Reading!
If you’re looking for all the upcoming books, take a look at
Best February 2026 Book Releases
The Astral Library
by Kate Quinn
Magical Realism
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
A book-loving young woman discovers a hidden library that lets readers step inside classic novels—then learns the refuge is being hunted. Swept from the Boston Public Library into iconic literary worlds, she must decide what she’s willing to risk to save the only place that’s ever felt like home.
Kin
by Tayari Jones
Literary Fiction
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Raised side by side in a small Louisiana town, two girls grow into women pulled apart by ambition, class, and the mothers who shaped—or abandoned—them. As one leaves for an elite college and the other searches for love and survival closer to home, their bond is tested by what blood, choice, and loyalty truly demand.
When I Kill You
by B.A. Paris
Thriller
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
In a city where magic decides who holds power, a privileged princess and a hardened thief are bound by a stolen locket that should not exist. Forced into an uneasy alliance, they uncover the lies beneath their glittering world—and risk tearing the city apart to change it.
How To Kill a Guy in Ten Dates
by Shailee Thompson
Thriller
Publication Date: February 3, 2026
A speed-dating night turns deadly when Jamie wakes from a blackout to find a man dead at her table and a masked killer loose inside the venue. As bodies fall and exits stay locked, she realizes the murderer isn’t hunting at random—but trying to choose a real-life Final Girl.
One of Us
by Elizabeth Day
Literary Fiction
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
When the unconventional daughter of a powerful British political dynasty is found dead on a beach in Bali, grief curdles into suspicion inside a family built on favors, ambition, and control. As a brother nears the prime ministership, marriages fracture and loyalties are tested, revealing how far the privileged will go to protect their place.
Stolen Midnights
by Katherine Quinn
Young Adult Fantasy
Publication Date: February 3, 2026
In a city where magic decides who holds power, a privileged princess and a hardened thief are bound by a stolen locket that should not exist. Forced into an uneasy alliance, they uncover the lies beneath their glittering world—and risk tearing the city apart to change it.
Top Thrillers February 2026
The Girls Before
by Kate Alice Marshall
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
Trapped in a pitch-dark basement etched with messages from girls who never escaped, a young woman races against starvation and fear to find a way out. Meanwhile, a search-and-rescue expert investigating a fresh disappearance uncovers a town powerful enough to hide what really happened to the girls who were never meant to be found.
Save for Later
The New Neighbors
by Claire Douglas
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
On a quiet Bristol street, Lena overhears her new neighbors discussing something that sounds like a crime—and no one believes her. As her suspicion hardens into obsession, she’s forced to decide whether exposing them will also expose the secrets she’s spent years hiding.
Her Last Breath
by Taylor Adams
Publication Date: February 17, 2026
A caving trip meant to mend a fractured friendship turns savage when Tess is attacked deep underground and barely escapes alive. Recovering in the hospital, she uncovers disturbing truths that suggest the violence followed her out of the cave—and isn’t finished yet.
What Happende That Night
by Nicci French
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Nearly thirty years after a student party ended in murder, a disgraced man reunites the friends who were there—still insisting he was wrongly convicted. When one of them is killed in the exact same way, the night becomes a trap where decades of silence and shared guilt start turning lethal.
Top Historical Fictions February 2026
Keeper of Lost Children
by Sadeqa Johnson
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
Set in postwar Germany and civil-rights-era America, this novel follows three lives connected by abandoned children, buried choices, and the search for belonging. From an orphanage for mixed-race children in occupied Germany to a segregated boarding school in 1960s Maryland, their stories reveal how one act of compassion can reshape generations.
The Fourth Princess
by Janie Chang
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
Set in 1911 Shanghai, this gothic historical novel follows a young woman whose new job in a haunted manor entangles her in secrets, forbidden attraction, and unsettling visions tied to her forgotten past. As danger closes in from every side, she must uncover the truth about her origins before the house—and its ghosts—consume her.
Save for Later
Cleopatra
by Saara El-Arifi
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
In this reimagining of Cleopatra’s life, the Egyptian queen reclaims her voice as a brilliant strategist and ruler fighting to protect her throne, her children, and her legacy. Stripped of myth and scandal, this novel presents Cleopatra as a woman wielding power in a world determined to erase her.
Most anticipated February 2026 New Books
Where the Wildflowers Grow
by Terah Shelton Harris
Magical Realism
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
A mysterious violin tucked away in Heathrow’s Lost and Found draws three strangers into each other’s lives, carrying a history that refuses to stay silent. As its secret surfaces, the instrument begins to reshape their hopes, regrets, and sense of purpose.
The Violin Maker’s Secret
by Evie Woods
Magical Realism
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
A mysterious violin tucked away in Heathrow’s Lost and Found draws three strangers into each other’s lives, carrying a history that refuses to stay silent. As its secret surfaces, the instrument begins to reshape their hopes, regrets, and sense of purpose.
And Now, Back To You
by B.K. Borison
Romance
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Opposites collide when two rival meteorologists are forced to cover a historic snowstorm together. What begins as reluctant teamwork turns into friendship, chemistry, and a question neither saw coming: can something unexpected last once the skies clear?
Comet Book Circle Pick February 2026
The Comet Book Circle is the monthly book club hosted by Comet Readings, where we come together to read one thoughtfully chosen book each month and share our thoughts as a community. Each pick is selected with a wide range of readers in mind—whether you love emotional stories, gripping plots, or books that spark meaningful discussion. Here you’ll find the complete list of Comet Book Circle picks.
Great Big Beautiful Life
by Emily Henry
Romance
Publication Date: April 22, 2025
On a sun-warmed island, Alice Scott arrives chasing her first real chance, only to find it guarded by Hayden Anderson—brilliant, guarded, and watching her as if she matters more than he expected. As an elusive heiress parcels out her truth and an unspoken pull grows harder to ignore, Alice and Hayden must decide whether protecting their own stories is worth the quiet risk of trusting each other with what’s left unsaid.
Reese's Book Club Pick February 2026
Reese’s Book Club is a book club founded by Reese Witherspoon. The club reads one book a month and then discusses it online. All the books are chosen with a wide range of readers in mind. Reese’s Book Club is a great way to get recommendations for books to read and to connect with other readers. Here you’ll find the updated list and know about my favorite picks.
In Her Defense
by Philippa Malicka
Read With Jenna Book Club February 2026
The Read with Jenna Book club is a great way for fans of Jenna Bush Hager to connect with each other and discuss their favorite books. It’s also a great way to discover new authors and learn more about the reading experience. If you’re looking for a way to get more out of your reading, be sure to check out the Read with Jenna Book Club. You won’t regret it!
One & Only
by Maurene Goo
Romance
Publication Date: February 3, 2026
Cassia Park believes in soulmates—until a casual fling brings her face-to-face with the destiny she’s waited a decade for. Caught between what she was promised and what she already feels, she must decide whether love is fate fulfilled or a risk freely taken.
GMA Book Club February 2026
The Exes
by Leodora Darlington
Thriller
Publication Date: February 3, 2026
Natalie has always been searching for the perfect partner—until she marries James and realizes her past relationships didn’t just end badly, they ended in death. As unsettling truths surface and the bodies of her exes refuse to stay buried, Natalie must confront whether she’s being hunted by someone else—or whether the danger has always been her.
Book of the Month February 2026
Book of the Month is perfect if you’re looking for a subscription that will keep you entertained and engaged. They carefully select books from well-known authors and new releases to send to their subscribers. You’re guaranteed to find a great book each month.
So if you’re looking for a great way to get new books each month, Book of the Month is a great option. Try it out today!
Stolen Midnights
by Katherine Quinn
One & Only
by Maurene Goo
The Exes
by Leodora Darlington
Good People
by Patmena Sabit
A Good Animal
by Sara Maurer
It's Not Her
by Mary Kubica
What books are you most excited about this month? Share your top picks in the comments below and let’s discuss our TBR piles!
