I read for a living — these 10 books are the best new novels everyone should read in 2025

If you’re on the hunt for a fresh read this September, this curated list of 10 of the best new releases might just contain your next favourite book, regardless of your preferred genre. Between R. F. Kuang’s Katabasis and new releases from the likes of T. Kingfisher, Carissa Broadbent and Gareth Brown, August was a great month for bibliophiles.

September is shaping up nicely too, with many eagerly awaited releases by beloved authors such as Richard Osman, Rebecca Ross and Mona Awad, as well as some hidden gems that might have slipped under your radar so far. As someone who reads every day, both for work and pleasure, here are my 10 must-read books releasing in September 2025 across the romance, fantasy, crime, literary fiction and romantasy genres.

A young woman attempts to shake off a long-standing family curse, as well as the belief that she is the reincarnation of her deceased cousin, in Cursed Daughters, the new novel by the author of My Sister the Serial Killer.

Expect brisk chapters covering multiple timelines, hauntingly atmospheric writing and a cast of characters that will linger in your mind long after you’ve finished the story.

You can order Cursed Daughters, out September 25, here.

Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron and Ibrahim are back in action in The Impossible Fortune, the fifth instalment of Richard Osman’s bestselling Thursday Murder Club series. This time, a wedding guest in dire straits triggers an investigation involving cryptic codes and ruthless villains.

Will the team crack the case and solve the murder in time?

For fans of the Thursday Murder Club, it’s an exciting time as Netflix’s adaptation of the first novel is now available, featuring stars such as Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren, Celia Imrie and Ben Kingsley.

You can order The Impossible Fortune, out September 25, here.

Expect battling deities, perilous secrets and a sweeping love story in Wild Reverence, a breathtaking new standalone romantasy set in the world of Rebecca Ross’ bestselling Divine Rivals.

Matilda, the youngest goddess of her clan with modest messenger magic, is forced to mature earlier than most. She delivers letters across realms, carrying her own secrets, including a mortal boy she has never met but who dreams of her.

A decade later, destiny reunites Matilda and Vincent when the goddess delivers a letter that alters their fates.

Whether you’re a fan of the original duology or new to the world, Wild Reverence is a beautifully immersive novel with a unique magic system and characters you’ll fall head over heels in love with.

You can order Wild Reverence, out September 11, here.

In the eagerly awaited sequel to bestselling author Mona Awad’s hit 2019 novel, it’s time for the Bunnies to share their side of the story in We Love You, Bunny. Samantha was once an outsider before being lured into the world of the Bunnies, a group of overly sweet rich girls harbouring a horrifying secret.

However, in We Love You, Bunny, Samantha has just released her debut novel to critical acclaim and is living a life free from the Bunnies… until they, enraged at their portrayal, abduct her during her book tour to set the record straight.

Whether you read Bunny last week or six years ago, this mesmerising novel will instantly transport you back into the Bunnyverse. It’s fresh yet nostalgic, darkly humorous and utterly unputdownable.

You can order We Love You, Bunny, out September 23, here.

Annie Wildwood epitomises the perfect witch. She manages a thriving bakery and social calendar, all while maintaining a flawless appearance and never disappointing anyone.

However, her people-pleasing magic is put to the test when her coven assigns her to mentor a troubled teenage witch with extraordinary powers.

Set in the same universe as Rewitched (with some enjoyable crossovers and Easter eggs thrown in!), Uncharmed is the ideal book to get you in the cosy mood just in time for autumn. With sparkling magic, eccentric characters and a loveable animal companion or two, it embodies everything a cosy fantasy should be.

You can order Uncharmed, out September 18, here.

Malka, the healer’s daughter, has witnessed the cursed forest’s impact on her village. However, when her mother is accused of murder, she ventures into the forest to find the monster in a bid to save her.

Instead of a beast, she encounters a disgraced golem, leading to an unexpected alliance and a more sinister threat, all while grappling with her growing affection for the creature she was taught to fear.

Drawing inspiration from Jewish mythology and filled with political intrigue, this atmospheric and romantic dark fantasy about resilience and redemption is a must-read for any fantasy enthusiast this autumn.

You can order The Maiden and Her Monster, out September 11, here.

Eloise Ford is left stunned when she hears that human remains found in an abandoned mine are believed to belong to long-missing teenager Elizabeth King. This cannot be true, as she herself is Elizabeth King.

As her meticulously constructed life starts to unravel, she must seek answers to protect her family, friends, and identity.

Fast-paced and darkly humorous, with numerous twists and turns, this is the ideal September read for fans of Lisa Jewell and Bella Mackie.

You can order The Vanishing Act, out September 11, now.

A woman is offered a second chance to live the life she’s always dreamed of when she stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop serving a magical brew.

Greta Perks, once the star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee ads, finds her star has faded, her marriage is in trouble and her teenage daughter is growing more distant. Her once glittering career feels like a distant memory.

But after she wakes up in the idyllic world of a Maple Gold coffee advertisement, she’s forced to choose between perfection and real-life.

Perfect for fans of magical realism, this is a heartfelt and thought-provoking story about identity, second chances and rediscovering yourself.

You can order The Time Hop Coffee Shop, out September 25, here.

A new designer drug allowing users to see into their future hits a dystopian Australia in Big Time, award-winning writer and filmmaker Jordan Prosser’s debut novel.

We follow Melbourne-based band The Acceptables as they embark on the launch of their second album, while also glimpsing the escalating pandemic of ‘extreme coincidences’ in the outside world – all of which can be linked back to the album.

Fun, clever and utterly unique, this will undoubtedly be one of the wildest novels you read in 2025.

You can order Big Time, out September 4, here.

Immerse yourself in the world of Oliver Twist anew with Kathy George’s fresh take on the timeless Charles Dickens novel. In The Scent of Oranges, we delve into Nancy’s tale as she traverses the grimy lanes of Victorian London, transitioning from one of Fagin’s child thieves to the arm candy of the ruthless Bill Sikes.

As she embarks on a new romance and takes young Oliver Twist under her protective wing, a brighter future seems within reach for the first time. This is an ingenious reinterpretation of the classic narrative, breathing life into minor characters from the original story in intricate and vibrant ways.

You can order The Scent of Oranges, out September 25, here.