
It might be our final bookish roundup of the year, but there are still plenty of great new releases to check out before 2025 comes to a close. With exciting additions to several hit series and some brilliant standalones, there’s something for every type of reader.
And with only a few weeks until Christmas, we’ve made sure to include a range of genres and authors that others would no doubt love to receive, too. Or why not add another book to your wishlist? We certainly have.
These are the December 2025 new books that you won’t want to miss out on.
An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole
Release date: December 30
If you happen to be looking for a book to read over New Year’s or want to kick off your 2026 reading with a bang, look no further than Kamilah Cole’s An Arcane Inheritance, which hits shelves on December 30. For fans of R.F. Kuang’s Babel, or all things dark academia, this is definitely one to keep an eye out for.
Combining dark magic with romantasy and mystery, it also leans into the gothic with its atmospheric Ivy League setting. Warren University has always been linked to rumblings and rumours of the occult, yet Ellory is convinced that she is someone who belongs there. But why does the ornate campus feel so eerily familiar to her? And it’s not just because she’s been studying there for several months now, there’s a somewhat sinister edge to the sense of déjà vu that she’s been experiencing.
She just needs a little help from a rather brooding fellow student to help her put things together.
Tailored Realities by Brandon Sanderson
Release date: December 9
We always get excited for any new Brandon Sanderson release, and Tailored Realities sees the beloved author combine a number of stories into one book for the very first time, with some making their print debut, including a brand new novella called Moment Zero.
The ten stories span the worlds of Skyward and the Reckoners, encompassing everything from a space opera to a superhero story and even a futuristic detective tale. And if that wasn’t impressive enough, each story is accompanied by a striking black-and-white illustration, making it a great gift idea for any fan at this time of year. It would also make a great starting point if you’ve been meaning to pick up one of his books for a while now.
Hard Sun by J. B. Turner
Release date: December 16
Jon Reznick is back for his fifteenth outing, and the latest story is just as rousing as ever. Of course, Jon no longer trusts the CIA. I mean, who would when you’ve been through what he’s been through? However, when an operative arrives on his doorstep, he finds himself drawn in once again.
After discovering that a high-value target has been assassinated in what looks to be a professional hit, Jon is soon sent undercover to discover exactly who this sniper assassin is and why he targeted this individual. Expect high-stakes action and plenty of fantastic twists and turns.
Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken
Release date: December 2 (US)/December 4 (UK)
Would it be a monthly book roundup from us without at least one mythological retelling? Probably not. And this Norse-inspired one adds a steamy, enemies-to-lovers twist to the tale of the Gods.
In this world, the Gods aren’t dead; they’re locked in the bodies of mortals, waiting for the right spark to awaken them. And Rey’s father is one of the most ruthless of them all.
After training his daughter her entire life, he sends her off to University to steal back Mjolnir, the hammer of legend – and failure is not an option. However, the enemy’s heir, Aric, stands in her way. He’s also the one person she cannot and should not fall for. But what will happen as they grow closer? We can’t wait to find out.
The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison
Release date: December 2
The Library of Fates isn’t your typical library by any means, as you might be able to tell from the name. And one book in particular, a rare and magical tome which can predict exactly how your life will unfurl, is its prized possession. That is, until the librarian dies in a freak accident and The Book of Dark Nights goes missing. It’s up to two unlikely individuals to bring it back to its rightful place.
Taking them on a quest from one side of the globe to the other, Eleanor has spent most of her life working at the library as an apprentice to the brilliant librarian. His estranged son, Daniel, on the other hand, is only back to secure his inheritance. Even though he and Eleanor have a storied past, where is the book? And who else could be chasing it down?
Evolution: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure by Seth Ring
Release date: December 2
One for the gamers or fans of LitRPG – literary role-playing games – Seth Ring returns with the latest installment in his popular The Exlian Syndrome series. And if you aren’t already familiar with the saga, it’s worth noting that the first three books are available to read on Kindle Unlimited, both in the UK and the US, to get you caught up.
With lots of action and adventure to keep you on the edge of your seat, Evolution: A Fantasy picks up with Mark having just escaped the deadly underground prison, The Tomb.
And in doing so, he’s had to sacrifice his former life and identity. His only focus and goal is to track down the Exlian aliens, which is why joining the Hunters' Association not only seems like a good idea but the only path forward. Even though his power seems to be growing with every hunt, each one takes him further away from the life he once knew and into the unknown. Can he use this power to save the people he’s closest to? Or will an evil plot catch up to him? You’ll have to pick up a copy to find out.
Television: A Novel by Lauren Rothery
Release date: December 2
As soon as we saw this debut novel being compared to Bojack Horseman meets Joan Didion, we were immediately intrigued. We also have a feeling that if you’ve been binge-watching Apple TV’s The Studio, this story will be right up your street.
Told from the three alternating, yet interconnected, perspectives of an aging A-list movie star, his non-famous companion, and an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, it takes a satirical look at the world of Hollywood. And at just shy of 200 pages, this is one you can read in a weekend, which is ideal for those of us who are still a few books away from completing our 2025 Goodreads Reading Challenge.
The Dark is Descending by Chloe C. Peñaranda
Release date: December 2
If you’ve been counting down the days until the third and final book in the Nytefall trilogy is released, it’s finally here. And what a conclusion it is. From gripping battles and shifting alliances to an all-encompassing darkness, the Star Maiden Astraea finds herself going up against a number of enemies who were once her allies, all in a bid to free Nyte from the curse that imprisons him.
If you’re after a star-crossed lovers kind of romantasy, with dragons, gods, and a seriously absorbing story, this is the one for you.
We also can’t get enough of the beautiful Deluxe Edition hardcover either. It’s safe to say that it might have just made its way to the top of our Christmas list.
Before I Forget: A Novel by Tory Henwood Hoen
Release date: December 2
Cricket’s father is living with Alzheimer's, and when her sister reaches out to let her know that the disease is progressing to the point where he will likely need to be moved into a full-time memory-care facility, this might just be the change that she needs to get out of the rut that she’s currently in. Could returning to her family home to care for him begin to repair their strained relationship and give her a new purpose?
While his memories of the past are quickly fading away, she soon realises that he seems to be able to predict the future. But what does this mean for Cricket and her life going forward? As is often the case, in order for her to move forward, she will have to look back. A deeply moving yet humorous story of family, with a coming-of-age angle, we expect this to appear on many a best books of 2026 list next year.
The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson
Release date: December 2
Lana Ferguson always has an interesting take or spin on the romance genre, as you will know if you’ve ever stumbled across her Loch Ness Monster romance, Under Loch & Key. And her latest release fully leans into the omegaverse. So, if you enjoyed our October recommendation, Mate by Ali Hazelwood, you might want to add this to your TBR list.
Imagine you’ve lived your entire life as a regular non-shifting human, only to find out that what you thought was the flu is actually your body telling you that you’re actually a late-presenting Omega Wolf shifter.
Well, that’s exactly what happens to Tess. And it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. As a renovator with her very own TV show showcasing her work, she and her family’s financial futures are also on the line. With the impending risk of going into heat, she’ll have to follow the doctor’s advice to keep away from any Alpha shifters.
That’s easier said than done when she arrives at Alpha Wolf Hunter’s crumbling lodge to refurbish it. It’s safe to say, things turn on their head pretty quickly.
Ellis is a freelance journalist, based in the UK, with a love of all things books. She also routinely chairs bookish events up and down the country, getting the scoop from some of the biggest and bestselling authors to keep you in the know.