Can you believe it’s already 2025? That means many things to many people, but most important to me are the books coming out in the new year. There are certainly a lot of them, but today, I’m focusing on our most anticipated debut books of 2025. Read on to glimpse the incredible stories by brand-new authors coming our way.
January
The Last Bookstore on Earth by Lily Braun-Arnold, January 7
17-year-old Liz Flannery has found refuge in an abandoned bookstore after a devastating Storm, but the safety of her haven is threatened by news of another disaster. When Maeve, a resourceful but secretive stranger, seeks shelter, the two form a reluctant partnership to prepare for the coming chaos. As their bond deepens amidst rising dangers, they must confront their pasts and fight for survival in a world on the brink of collapse.
The Last Bookstore on Earth is a YA debut written by an actual bookseller. Lily Braun-Arnold’s dystopian novel is a moving story of finding meaning and purpose in our lives, even after the world has ended.
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The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan, January 7
Cate Kay, the reclusive author behind a blockbuster trilogy, has kept her true identity a secret—until now. Once a young dreamer with plans to escape a troubled past, a tragedy forced her to abandon everything and reinvent herself. Now, a startling revelation compels Cate to return home, confront her past, and seek the closure she needs to heal.
Sports reporter Kate Fagan’s first novel is a story with well-developed characters and a unique narrative rhythm. The Three Lives of Cate Kay is full of suspense, drama and Hollywood glamour, all told through compelling, intertwining voices.
How to Sleep at Night by Elizabeth Harris, January 7
Ethan and Gabe’s seemingly perfect marriage is tested when Ethan announces his plan to run for Congress as a Republican, forcing progressive Gabe to wrestle with his principles and support. Meanwhile, Nicole, a suburban mom yearning for her lost identity, reconnects with her former lover Kate – Ethan’s sister and a high-powered reporter – complicating Kate’s life amidst her brother’s polarizing campaign. As ambitions clash and old flames reignite, all four must confront their desires, ideals, and the cost of love.
Another journalist making the leap into fiction, Elizabeth Harris’ debut dives into today’s tumultuous political climate. How to Sleep at Night is a quiet, thought-provoking novel that will definitely stay with readers.
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Blob by Maggie Su, January 28
Vi Liu’s life takes a surreal turn when a mysterious blob she discovers on a drunken night out transforms into a sentient being she can mold to her will. In a bid to create her perfect partner, Vi shapes the creature into an impossibly handsome man, feeding him cereal and pop culture. But as her creation takes on a life of its own, Vi is forced to confront the messy truths of her identity, her upbringing, and the complexities of love and control.
Blob is a darkly humorous and introspective journey of self-discovery. Maggie Su’s debut is a uniquely strange but somehow still grounded story with a truly endearing premise.
February
Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours, February 4
Sariyah Lee Bryant has a secret gift: she can sense what people need. But when her friend Deja disappears after Sariyah helps her, she questions whether her ability is more curse than blessing. Determined to find Deja and not let her become another forgotten Black girl, Sariyah and her friends search for answers. Balancing family, friendship, and survival, Sariyah must decide how far she’ll go to protect those she loves.
Perfect for fans of Ace of Spades, Needy Little Things is a fascinating, speculative YA mystery. Channelle Desamours fills the narrative with twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the very end.
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Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill, February 25
Beneath the calm waters of her lake, Jenny Greenteeth, a monster with razor-sharp teeth, has never cared for humans. Everything changes when a witch, Temperance, is cast into her domain. For reasons she can’t explain, Jenny decides to save her. Temperance, shunned by her village thanks to a sinister pastor, is desperate to uncover the truth behind her exile. Despite their differences, the two form an unlikely alliance, embarking on a magical quest to confront the growing darkness threatening Jenny’s lake, Temperance’s family and the soul of Britain itself.
Greenteeth is a cozy fantasy perfect for fans of T. Kingfisher and Heather Fawcett. Molly O’Neill’s debut book breathes new life into the mythology of Jenny Greenteeth.
March
Luminous by Silvia Park, March 11
In a near-future, reunified Korea, 11-year-old Ruijie discovers a lifelike robot boy in a junkyard, unknowingly reigniting a family’s buried past. Siblings Jun, a detective, and Morgan, a roboticist have been estranged since their brother Yoyo, a prototype humanoid robot their father created, disappeared. They’re reunited, however, by Ruijie’s find, forcing them to confront their shared past and face a future shaped by Yoyo’s return.
Luminous is absolutely one of my most anticipated books of 2025, debut or otherwise. As someone who loved Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun, Silvia Park’s speculative, near-future novel sounds right up my alley.
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April
Boys With Sharp Teeth by Jenni Howell, April 8
17-year-old Marin James blames Huntsworth Academy’s elite, Adrian Hargraves and Henry Wu, for her cousin’s death. Determined to expose them, she goes undercover at the prestigious school. Soon, however, she’s drawn into its dark allure and the enigmatic boys who see her like no one else does. As Marin unravels a chilling secret hidden within Huntsworth’s gates, the lines between justice, desire, and reality blur, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew.
Pretty Little Liars meets The Raven Boys in Jenni Howell’s mind-bending story of revenge, secrets and desire. Boys With Sharp Teeth has all the signatures of a dark academia hit.
The Fact Checker by Austin Kelly, April 15
For the Fact Checker, it seemed like just another day in 2004 New York City. The article “Mandeville/Green” was a simple piece about New Egypt Farm’s coveted Ramapo tomatoes. But a cryptic quote from volunteer Sylvia hinting at “nefarious business” at the market—“People sell everything here. It ain’t all green”—stopped him in his tracks. When Sylvia vanishes the next morning after spending an unexpectedly long evening with him, the Fact Checker is consumed by her disappearance. Did she uncover something sinister at New Egypt or its charismatic owner? Was she in danger? Or could the mystery stem from something he said?
Striking a balance between humor, wonder and sadness, The Fact Checker takes readers on a poignant journey through the hidden corners of New York City. As a former fact checker himself, Austin Kelly is the perfect person to write this debut.
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June
When Devils Sing by Xan Kaur, June 3
When Dawson Sumter disappears in Carrion, Georgia, all that’s left behind is blood in the motel Neera Singh’s parents own. Disappearances like this are common, especially every 13 years when the cicadas return. Neera, determined to find Dawson, teams up with three other teens to investigate. As they uncover secrets, they discover the town’s wealth may be tied to an ancient legend of three devils. Together, they must uncover the truth and escape the town’s dark grip.
When Devils Sing is an atmospheric horror novel set in a haunting, rural Georgia landscape. Fans of She Is a Haunting, Mexican Gothic and Midsommar will love Xan Kaur’s debut.
Celestial Banquet by Roselle Lim, June 3
Every generation, the Major Gods host a Celestial Banquet, where chefs compete for the Peaches of Immortality. Hot-headed noodle chef Cai enters the competition with dreams of opening a restaurant and supporting her struggling town. With the help of a drunken Minor God, her childhood friend Bo and noble Seon, Cai faces impossible culinary challenges, from hunting sea serpents to cooking with mystical ingredients. As Cai navigates fierce competition and complicated feelings, she is determined to create a feast worthy of the gods, even at the risk of her life.
The publisher describes Celestial Banquet as “Iron Chef meets The Hunger Games” and I absolutely love it. Roselle Lim combines cooking competitions with literal gods in what promises to be a super fun way.
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July
Wanting by Claire Jia, July 1
Ye Lian’s life in Beijing seems perfect: a well-paying job, a loving boyfriend and plans for a luxury apartment. But everything falls apart when her childhood best friend, Luo Wenyu, returns from California with a successful influencer career, a millionaire fiancé and a mansion. As the two rekindle their friendship, Wenyu reveals a secret about a past love that makes Lian question her own relationship. As Wenyu’s dark secrets emerge, the two women must choose between stability and uncertainty, with unforeseen consequences.
Claire Jia’s debut is truly a love letter to friendship. Crossing two countries and intertwining three lives, Wanting is a story of envy, longing and regret.
These are just a few of the many, many great debut books of 2025. Which debut book are you most excited to read? Let us know below, pre-order your copies at your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org and keep an eye out for more upcoming book lists.
- Book Review: DEATH OF THE AUTHOR - January 16, 2025
- The Official DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Trailer Is Here, and It’s Epic - January 15, 2025
- New Release Radar: New Books Coming Out on January 14 - January 14, 2025
