Let’s Talk: Anticipated Releases for July – December 2023

Well, I blinked and suddenly we’re six months through the year. While that’s…overwhelmingly disturbing because really, where is the time going — it’s also exciting because there are so many book releases during the last six months of this year that I’m super excited about.

You know the drill, grab your comfort beverage, get comfy, and let’s talk new releases.

The Boy You Always Wanted by Michelle Quach (August 1st)

We all know that I loved Michelle Quach’s debut, Not Here to Be Liked (you can read my review here), and I’ve been really looking forward to her next novel. The Boy You Always Wanted features fake dating and a strong relationship between our main character Francine and her grandfather, both of which are things I love, so it sounds like this one will be something that I enjoy!

The Narrow by Kate Alice Marshall (August 1st)

I’ve been absolutely loving everything that I’ve read by Kate Alice Marshall — she’s quickly becoming an auto-read author for me, and I’m so excited for her next YA book The Narrow. I love paranormal stories and a paranormal story set at a boarding school? Oh, I am so in. Kate Alice Marshall writes atmosphere like no other, so I’m sure that this one is going to be really exciting.

Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig (August 22nd)

Wow, Caitlyn has a book related to Romeo and Juliet on her most anticipated list, shocking, never would’ve seen this one coming…

I feel like I don’t really need to explain why this one is on the list. I won’t lie, this remix series has been a little hit or miss for me, but I’m really looking forward to it, and obviously will be reading it no matter what.

Reign by Katharine McGee (August 29th)

The American Royals series by Katharine McGee is just fun! The series is one of my escapist reads — it provides lots of drama and I always have a great time while reading it! Reign is the fourth, and I believe final, book in the series and I’m looking forward to seeing how these characters’ storylines and character arcs are wrapped up. I was approved for an ARC of Reign last week, and I’m looking forward to reading it this weekend.

In These Hallowed Halls: A Dark Academia Anthology (September 12th)

M.L. Rio, author of my all time favorite book, If We Were Villains, has written a story for this anthology, so obviously, this is one of my most anticipated reads of the year. Dark academia is definitely my favorite sub genre, so I would’ve jumped at this regardless, but when you add in stories by M.L. Rio and Olivie Blake, this really sounds like it was made for me. Is it September yet?

The Death I Gave Him by Em X. Liu (September 12th)

I stumbled upon The Death I Gave Him by total accident while I was researching books for my Shakespeare reading month in April. I had never heard of it before, but once I saw that it was a queer sci-fi retelling of Hamlet as a locked-room thriller it JUMPED to the top of my TBR. That sentence has many of my buzz words in it, so I’m incredibly excited. I received an ARC about two weeks ago, and I can’t wait to read it.

Murder and Mamon by Mia P. Manansala (September 19th)

It does not matter what the book is about, if it’s part of the Tita Rosie’s Kitchen series, I’m reading it. At this point, these books are just automatic five star reads because of how connected they make me feel to Filipino culture and to my grandmother. I’m looking forward to continuing the series and seeing what other hijinks Lila and her family can get into.

The Fall of Whit Rivera by Crystal Maldonado (October 10th)

Crystal Madonado is definitely one of my favorite current YA authors. I love her stories and characters, and the complex family dynamics that she puts into her books. I’ve definitely been looking forward to her next book, and I think that The Fall of Whit Rivera is going to be the perfect autumn read!

I’ve already read ARCS of Immortal Longings by Chloe Gong (releasing July 25th), Ghosted by Amanda Quin (releasing July 25th), and Foul Heart Huntsman by Chloe Gong (releasing September 26th), all of which were anticipated releases this year and I really enjoyed all three.

Other books that I’m looking forward to include Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon (releasing July 4th), and One of Us Is Back by Karen M. McManus (releasing July 25th). I’m also excited to read Night of the Living Queers: 13 Tales of Terror Delight, a horror anthology that comes out on August 29th — I have an ARC of this one and am hoping to start it before the month is up!

Are any of these books on your radar? What releases are you looking forward to in the second half of the year? Let me know in the comments!