Explore the Best January 2023 Book Releases
This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission.
Are you looking forward to the upcoming January 2023 book releases? With so many amazing stories and authors yet to be discovered, now is the time to start making a list of all your must-reads!
The start of a new month is always thrilling, especially when we get the chance to set up our reading lists! There are some brilliant books coming out soon, ranging from romantic reads to popular New York Times bestsellers and thought-provoking coming-of-age stories or gripping historical fiction novels. As an eclectic reader, I’m sure you’ll find something enjoyable on this list, and I’m delighted to spread the news about these new titles.
If you’re new to Comet Readings—welcome! Every month I’ll highlight some of the most exciting upcoming releases to keep in mind. Deciding between them can be tough, so I’ve made sure to include a variety of genres, both from famous and debut authors, to give you the best and most varied reading experience.
If you’re looking for all the upcoming books, take a look at
Best January 2023 Book Releases
The Villa
by Rachel Hawkins
Thriller
On Sale: January 3, 2023
Emily and Chess take a trip to Italy to reconnect and end up uncovering secrets from the past. In 1974, Villa Aestas (now known as Villa Rosato) was rented by Noel Gordon, a rockstar attempting to reignite his creative spark. But what was supposed to be a fun summer quickly took a turn for the worse when Pierce ended up dead. Nowadays, Emily begins to think there might be more to the story and that perhaps Pierce’s murder wasn’t just a tale of sex, drugs, and rock & roll gone wrong. The closer Emily gets to the truth, the more her relationship with Chess is strained.
Hell Bent
by Leigh Bardugo
Fantasy
On Sale: January 10, 2023
Galaxy “Alex” Stern is determined to rescue her old friend, Darlington, from purgatory―even if it means sacrificing her future at Lethe and Yale. With the help of her allies, Alex must navigate arcane texts and artifacts to uncover the Ninth House’s closely guarded secrets and break every rule doing it. But when faculty members begin to die off, Alex knows something sinister is afoot in New Haven. It’s up to her to survive the university’s hidden darkness and reckon with the monsters of her past. With Leigh Bardugo’s signature twists, Hell Bent brings an intricate world of magic, violence, and all-too-real monsters to life.
The Mitford Affair
by Marie Benedict
Historical Fiction
On Sale: January 17, 2023
An engaging and thought-provoking novel by Marie Benedict that tells the story of the six Mitford sisters and their involvement in the fascist movement in Europe before World War II. Nancy Mitford, the one sister not involved in the movement, is determined to stop them from taking over Great Britain. The novel offers a unique insight into the political climate of the time and how seemingly sensible people can be drawn into radical action. With its compelling characters and engaging plot, this is a must-read for fans of historical fiction.
How to Sell a Haunted House
by Grady Hendrix
Horror
On Sale: January 17, 2023
Louise returns home to her family’s decades-old estate in Charleston, SC, after her parents die. She is determined to sell the house and put the memories of her difficult past behind her… done quickly discovers some houses don’t want to be sold. With the help of her brother Mark, Louise must uncover the secrets of her family’s home and confront the dark forces that inhabit it. Equal parts heartfelt and terrifying, it’s a gripping new read from “the horror master” that brings the haunting of a family’s past to life.
Spare
by Prince Harry
Memoir
On Sale: January 10, 2023
Prince Harry shares the story of his life and struggles to find purpose, from a childhood in pain to a young adulthood of duty and courage. In candid and thoughtful prose, he recounts how his love for Meghan and their two children has helped him to overcome a legacy of loss—and find hope and redemption during one of the darkest moments in modern British history. This most anticipated memoir is an intimate look at a life of trauma and healing, joy and sorrow, service and commitment—and ultimately, a must-read for anyone looking to understand the truth behind one of the world’s most beloved royals.
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute
by Talia Hibbert
Romance
On Sale: January 3, 2023
When a quirky content creator and a star football player are thrown together on an outdoor survival course, they must confront the messy past between them as well as the mud and dirt of the wilderness. Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert is a laugh-out-loud story about these two unlikely allies who must test their abilities to survive each other and the great outdoors. Can these two former friends find enough common ground to build something new, or is it too late for them to make a connection?
All The Dangerous Things
by Stacy Willingham
Thriller
On Sale: January 17, 2023
Isabelle Drake’s life changed forever when her toddler son Mason was taken out of his crib in the middle of the night, and all evidence quickly went cold. With all hope seemingly gone, Isabelle refuses to give up on finding Mason—so much so that she has not slept in a year. To shake things up and potentially uncover new clues about the case, Isabelle agrees to be interviewed by a true-crime podcaster. But as the wheel of suspicion and doubt begins to turn, it becomes increasingly difficult for Isabelle to trust her memory and judgment—let alone anyone else in her life. In this gripping suspense novel, readers will follow Isabelle’s dark and winding journey to uncover the truth about Mason’s disappearance, no matter what it takes.
The Stranded
by Sarah Daniels
Sci-Fi & Fantasy
On Sale: January 3, 2023
An adrenaline-filled adventure that blends The Hunger Games-level suspense and intrigue with Station Eleven’s post-apocalyptic world. Follow Esther and Nik as they fight for freedom in a world where violence and chaos reign while trying to navigate the treacherous politics of their pasts. With betrayals, love triangles, and unexpected outcomes, The Stranded will keep you on the edge of your seat. The stakes are high, and the choices made could change everything.
Save for Later
The Rom-Com Agenda
by Jayne Denker
Romance
On Sale: January 10, 2023
When Leah Keegan’s foster mother dies, she inherits her home in the small town of Willow Cove. Leah is used to being alone, but now she has a chance to start fresh. She meets Eli Masterson, who is determined to win back his ex-girlfriend Victoria. To do so, he enlists Leah’s help in learning about romance by making him the ideal man. But as they spend more time together, Leah and Eli may just find that they are falling for each other.
Top Thrillers January 2023
Just The Nicest Couple
by May Kubica
On Sale: January 10, 2023
Two couples become unwillingly intertwined in the aftermath of a husband’s disappearance. Jake Hayes has gone missing after having a heated argument with his wife Nina, and Lily Scott and her husband, Christian, become entangled in the investigation as they attempt to keep the truth hidden. As Nina races to find out what happened to her missing husband, Lily and Christian must decide how far they are willing to go in order to keep their secret safe.
Off the Deep End
by Lucinda Berry
On Sale: January 10, 2023
A heart-stopping psychological thriller about the shades of truth and the power of lies in the wake of one mother’s unspeakable loss. Jules Hart is a therapist turned stay-at-home mom whose life is upended when she crashes her car into an icy lake. With her son’s life and another teenage boy on the line, Jules can only manage to save one—the wrong one. Struggling to come to terms with this tragedy and grapple with the secrets of her past, Jules finds herself at the center of a massive police investigation when the other boy—Isaac Greer—suddenly vanishes. Can she uncover the truth behind Isaac’s disappearance, or is someone else pulling the strings in this deadly game?
The Hunter
by Jennifer Herrera
On Sale: January 10, 2023
A gripping psychological thriller set in a small Ohio town. Leigh O’Donnell, an NYPD detective, returns to her hometown of Copper Falls with her four-year-old daughter after being fired from the force due to reckless behavior. She soon discovers that three local men have drowned in what she suspects is a triple homicide. As she looks into the deaths, Leigh must face her demons and unravel a web of secrets that have been kept for generations if she hopes to find justice. The Hunter will grip and engage readers with its vivid characters and nail-biting suspense.
What Lies in the Woods
by Kate Alice Marshall
On Sale: January 17, 2023
Naomi Shaw was attacked by a serial killer twenty-two years ago, surviving seventeen stab wounds. With the help of her two best friends, Cassidy and Olivia, she helped put away the killer and become heroes. But a secret worth killing for has kept them quiet all these years… until now. Naomi must uncover the truth of what happened in the woods, no matter how dangerous. With twists, turns, and secrets abound, readers will be immersed in an intense journey filled with heart-stopping suspense.
Exiles
by Jane Harper
On Sale: January 31, 2023
As federal investigator Aaron Falk travels to a small town in southern Australian wine country for the christening of an old friend’s baby, he is drawn into the mystery of a missing mother who vanished one year ago on the night of her daughter’s busy town festival. In the lush valley, Falk meets Kim Gillespie’s friends and loved ones as he dives into the case and uncovers long-ago truths. As he searches for answers, he must confront dark questions: What would make a mother abandon her child? And what happened to Kim Gillespie?
Finlay Donovan Jumps The Gun
by Elle Cosimano
On Sale: January 31, 2023
When Finlay Donovan finds herself in a tangled mess with the Russian mob, she must enlist the help of her partner-in-crime, Vero, to find a contract killer before the cops do. With pressure from her looming book deadline and Feliks’ demands, Finlay and Vero use their newfound police knowledge through firearm training, forensic classes, and hands-on research with a tempting detective. Along the way, they juggle obstacles like spies and Vero’s past, all to sleuth out the real criminal and free themselves from Feliks’ clutches.
Top Historical Fiction January 2023
The Three Lives of Alix St. Pierre
by Natasha Lester
On Sale: January 10, 2023
A thrilling, sweeping tale of one woman’s journey through the dark secrets of World War II and into the dazzling world of Parisian glamour. The story follows Alix as she is sent to Switzerland as a spy, endures an Allied victory that comes too late, and eventually finds herself at the House of Dior in Paris. But when a figure from her past reemerges and threatens to destroy her future, Alix must confront the danger and discover justice for herself and those she loves.
Moonrise Over New Jessup
by Jamila Minnicks
On Sale: January 10, 2023
An evocative and timely debut novel set in 1957. Alice Young, a young Black woman, steps off the bus into all-Black New Jessup. Here, she meets Raymond Campbell and quickly falls in love with him as they settle down and start a family. However, Raymond’s clandestine organizing activities challenge New Jessup’s longstanding status quo, which Alice is determined to protect from internal and external pressures. Moonrise Over New Jessup explores the complexities of desegregation in America and celebrates the joys and struggles of Black resilience against racism and marginalization. Jamila Minnicks’ masterful writing transports readers back to a time of upheaval, and her nuanced characters bring this timely story to life. This story of passion and perseverance will linger in readers’ minds long after they turn the last page.
Save for Later
River Sing Me Home
by Eleanor Shearer
On Sale: January 31, 2023
An inspirational story of a mother’s courage and resilience as she embarks on a dangerous journey to find her children who were sold into slavery. Along the way, Rachel discovers strength in the stories of the five children she left behind and the extraordinary lengths a mother will go to reunite with them. This emotionally powerful and poignant novel will transport you to a world of courage, hope, and love as Rachel strives for her freedom and the freedom of her children.
Most anticipated January 2023 New Books
The Things We Do To Our Friends
by Heather Darwent
Contemporary Fiction
On Sale: January 10, 2023
Set in Edinburgh, the book follows Clare, an outsider who has come to the city alone, yearning for a fresh start. When she meets Tabitha and her exclusive circle of friends—Samuel, Ava, and Imogen—Clare is immediately drawn into their hedonistic and libertine world. But as Clare starts to uncover the dark side of her friends’ ambition, it becomes clear that they are willing to go to extreme lengths in order to get what they want.
The Stolen Heir
by Holly Black
Fantasy
On Sale: January 3, 2023
A heart-pounding, thrilling fantasy set in the world of Elfhame. After eight years of peace, Lady Nore has reclaimed the Ice Needle Citadel and used an ancient relic to create monsters of stick and snow. Meanwhile, Suren, the child queen of the Court of Teeth who fled to the human world, lives feral in the woods. When a storm hag chases her, Suren is saved by Prince Oak, heir to Elfhame, the reluctant prince who has come on a mission that will lead him into the north and needs her help. But this means guarding her heart against the boy she once knew and confronting all the horrors she thought she had left behind.
The Fraud Squad
by Kyla Zhao
YA Fiction
On Sale: January 17, 2023
Samantha Song dreams of writing for one of Singapore’s most exclusive magazines. But her low social status and financial struggles make it feel impossible. Until she meets Timothy Kingston and Anya Chen, two members of esteemed high-society families. With their help, Samantha can infiltrate the world she’s always wanted to be a part of. But with a mysterious gossip columnist on the prowl for dirt, Samantha must reconcile her pretenses with who she truly is before everything comes crashing down around her. In The Fraud Squad, debut author Kula Zhao takes readers on a thrilling journey full of suspense and intrigue as Samantha navigates through the dark underbelly of Singapore’s privileged class.
Reese's Book Club Pick January 2023
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.
The House in the Pines
by Ana Reyes
Thriller
On Sale: January 10, 2023
When a YouTube video surfaces of a young woman dying mysteriously in a diner, Maya returns to her Berkshire hometown to uncover the truth about what happened to her friend Aubrey seven years ago. Frank, the enigmatic man they were hanging out with that summer, is the only lead she has. As she digs into the past, she finds herself sucked back into Frank’s orbit, and she starts to wonder if she’ll ever be able to escape his hold on her.
Read With Jenna Book Club Pick January 2023
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!
Sam
by Allegra Goodman
Literary Fiction
On Sale: January 3, 2023
Sam’s journey through adolescence is full of surprises and setbacks. As she struggles to find her place in the world, both she and the reader come to understand that sometimes it takes a leap of courage to get where you want—and need—to be. In Sam, Goodman beautifully portrays a teenage girl’s journey through life as she discovers who she is and learns to love and accept herself for it. A powerful coming-of-age story, Sam is a must-read for anyone who has ever struggled with identity, insecurity, or the pressures of growing up.
GMA Book Club January 2023
Age of Vice
by Deepti Kapoor
Literary Fiction
On Sale: January 3, 2023
Age of Vice is a thrilling novel set in contemporary India that tells the story of a wealthy family, their money and power, and the dark secrets they keep. It follows three lives—Ajay, the watchful servant; Sunny, the playboy heir; and Neda, the curious journalist—as they become entangled in deceit, ambition, and violence. Through shifting perspectives and a fast-paced plot, readers are taken on an epic journey filled with lavish estates, extravagant parties, predatory business deals, and calculated political influence.
Book of the Month January 2023
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!
Age of Vice
by Deepti Kapoor
Lunar Love
by Lauren Kung Jessen
What Lies in the W...
by Kate Alice Marshall
Queen of Thieves
by Beezy Marsh
Hell Bent
by Leigh Bardugo
The Reunion
by Kayla Olson
Independence
by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
These are the best new books of January 2023. Let me know if you find something interesting or have already read and enjoyed any of these new releases.
Happy Reading!
