The Baroness’ Choices of New Books Publishing This Week
2026, Week 34’s New Books
My choices for this week include Cozy Culinary Mystery, Sweet Romance, Young Adult Romantic Fantasy, Action and Adventure Fantasy, Cozy Mystery, Romantic Comedy, New Adult Romances, Young Adult Romance, Sweet Romantic Comedy, and Contemporary Romance.
How is everyone adjusting to the upcoming schedule changes? Are the kids getting used to going to bed and waking up early again? I know from my personal experience that it was hard getting out of vacation mode when it was still so nice out. We are doing good here, lots of sunshine.
I got some great books for both adults and young adults this time, but no middle graders. I have some books off of this list on my TBR list, and I may have some reviews for you guys as well. Fingers crossed!
Here are my choices for New Books Publishing Week 34 of 2026!
Board to Death by J.C. Eaton
Charcuterie Shop Mystery #5
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Cozy Culinary Mystery
With loose cattle and a murderer hiding in plain sight, Katie’s got to think fast before making her next move, or it will be her last
Charcuterie chef, Katie Aubrey, is all agog, having been selected to cater a spectacular dining experience at The Pinnacle, a prestigious five-star senior residence. With twenty distinct charcuterie boards for the individual residents, Katie is certain this event will give her the publicity she needs to move up in the culinary world. But things don’t go as planned. A number of loose cattle block Cave Creek Road and the word sabotage is on everyone’s lips. To make matters worse, Edith Ellroy, former food critic and intolerable ghost, who occupies Katie’s residence, creates additional havoc at Katie’s Char-Board restaurant. Still, Katie and her crew manage to have everything in order for the event. But just as they think all will go well, she and one of her employees, discover the lifeless body of The Pinnacle’s manager under a date palm tree at the residence.
The situation turns dicey when the pocket knife belonging to Katie’s sous chef, who was creating the charcuteries at the Pinnacle, is found at the murder scene. Fearing that he will be arrested based on circumstantial evidence, Katie has no choice but to do some sleuthing on her own. Unfortunately, Edith decides to take part as well. Katie finds a way into the victim’s room to see what information may be on her computer, but before she can investigate, another resident walks in and tells Katie that she believes she knows who the murderer is. To get to the bottom of it, the woman holds a dinner in her suite and invites Katie to join a few trusted residents who want the murder solved ASAP.
Unfortunately, the plan doesn’t materialize because another victim from The Pinnacle is found dead. This time it’s one of the housekeepers, a young woman. Katie is certain that the first murder was premeditated but the recent one was not. In spite of Edith’s hindrance, Katie solicits the help of her boyfriend and snoops around the house belonging to the owner of the Pinnacle. And just as she thinks she’s on to something, The Pinnacle is sabotaged when its refrigerant line is cut. Katie knows she’s close to an answer but so is the sheriff’s office who now have more evidence against Javie. Undaunted, Katie continues to poke around, only to discover a clever connection between the loose cattle and the two murders. But when she tries to pull the threads together, she finds herself at the end of the rope.
How to Find a Romance in a Bookshop by Poppy Alexander
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Sweet Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
After a social media post gone wrong, a literary agent runs away to look after a seaside bookshop for the summer—and forms an unlikely friendship with a charming novelist struggling with his latest idea.
Petra doesn’t like books anymore—not since her career as a literary agent imploded after a social media typo went viral. Now she is stuck for six months, babysitting a little bookshop by the sea—surrounded by books that just remind her of her failure.
Ross McCloud’s award-winning debut novel blew the minds of the world’s literati, but that was five years ago. Now Ross and his keenly awaited second work have vanished. Something has gone wrong—horribly wrong—and Ross doesn’t want to talk about it.
Marooned in Capelthorne’s Bookshop miles from London, Petra can’t stop thinking about all the ways she has let people down. Then she discovers Ross lurking, incognito, in the second-hand books section. Misery loves company it seems, and a kinship tentatively forms.
In the meantime, the magic of the bookshop slowly begins to enchant Petra. Soon, her book recommendations assume legendary status; she is chairing the newly formed Beach Reads Book Club; leading a weekly writing group and hosting a series of popular talks and signings by local authors. She is even starting to read again.
Petra is also finding time to help her new best friend Jess—owner of a local telephone box library—to launch the inaugural Portneath Literary Festival. What better opportunity to put the Festival on the map—says Ross—than for Petra to unveil his second novel to the world there, before re-launching her career representing him at the Frankfurt book fair? What a comeback! But can Petra find the courage to help the man she loves?
Their love of books may be re-ignited, but is that enough to save them both from their own worst enemy—themselves?
Tropes:
- Friends to lovers
- Grumpy x Grumpy
- Small-town romance
- Slow burn
Illusion in Ink by Keilah Jude
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Young Adult Romantic Fantasy
This action-packed YA romantasy is a great match for readers who love enemies-to-lovers and found family. When a thief becomes a princess and runs into enemy territory where she falls in love, will she choose to protect her home or the one who holds her heart? She can only pick one.
Ophelia is a starving thief who gets caught stealing by the king of Ezri. But instead of punishment, he bestows mercy upon her, and in an amazing turn of events, he adopts her and she is crowned princess.
Despite her rags-to-riches transformation, Ophelia struggles to live up to the standards of the people in Ezri. When a tragic mistake forces Ophelia to run away, she is lured by a handsome stranger to Ezri’s enemy realm, Midnightroamer. She discovers it is enchanting with beauty, magic, and illusion—but it’s not all it appears to be. Once someone enters, they can never leave because all who cross into the realm are forced to take a permanent marking, stripping them of free will and binding them to the land and its wicked ruler. She knows she should focus on a way to get back to Ezri, but it may be too late. It doesn’t help that she falls in love behind enemy lines and exiting the realm would mean leaving her true love behind forever. Returning seems impossible, and it will cost Ophelia everything just to try.
When war breaks out, she must find a way to escape her marking, which brands her an enemy of Ezri. Her heart shatters as she learns that the man she is in love with is forced to fight against Ezri, and he bears the banner of her enemy. He is the very weapon sent to destroy her and bring Ezri to its knees. To survive and gain freedom, Ophelia will have to choose between protecting her kingdom or the man who has stolen her heart.
ILLUSION IN INK is ideal for readers who love Lauren Robert’s Powerless, Lynette Noni’s The Prison Healer, and Stephanie Garber’s Caraval.
Incandescent Fates by Isabelle M. Lang
Destiny of Creatures #1
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Action and Adventure Fantasy
Goodreads | StoryGraph | Amazon
In Calathea, there are three laws punishable by death.
For Lady Emory Valorian, these have carved her a life of solitude, hunting monsters within the dark stretches of Bartane Forest, holding her family close and her secrets closer.
That is, before—before a vampire slipped through her fingers, before it murdered her family, and before she vowed vengeance, no matter the cost. Now, she’ll do whatever it takes to reclaim blood owed. She’ll fight in a Legion, befriend an old flame, work with witches—all in the name of revenge.
But one thing remains as important as ever, her lethal trove of secrets must stay far from sight, even as the eyes of the kingdom fixate upon her, or she may not survive to see her plan through.
And her story is not one of tragedy.
It’s one of sharp, brutal revenge.
Incandescent Fates is an epic fantasy romance and the first novel in the A Destiny of Creatures series. This story features a morally grey FMC, a kingdom of dwindling magic and fierce monsters.
Murder on Charity Lane by Jo Nichols
Marigold Cottages Mysteries #2
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon | Karen’s Book Review
Months after the shocking murders at Marigold Cottages, eccentric landlady Mrs. B finds the peace and quiet a little too peaceful. That’s why she invites her young friend CJ Moore to move into a now-vacant cottage: CJ is a suspect in the death of her employer, a wealthy Santa Barbara philanthropist who tumbled down the stairs of his mansion during a dinner party. The dead man’s much-younger widow claims she saw CJ push him, but Mrs. B is certain that she’s innocent. Why? Oh, just a feeling.
That’s enough for her to summon the Marigold Cottages Murder Collective. Lily-Ann will marshal the facts, Hamilton will dig around online, Sophie and Nicholas will offer eyewitness testimony, and everyone will hope that Ocean keeps Mrs. B out of trouble.
Just as the tenants begin to suspect that Elsa is in fact the perpetrator, there’s a second murder. A bloodier one. And with their tight-knit community in the crosshairs, they must prove her innocence – or accept her guilt.
Something About September by Julia McKay
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
Cozy up with your pumpkin spiced latte and a slice of apple pie, because it’s time to fall in love in Bramley Hollow…
A fall-inspired second-chance romance about a woman who returns home after inheriting her grandmother’s diner, only to discover the contractor she must hire was her high school crush.
Sweater weather is better together.
Rebecca Macintosh has always felt that there’s just something about September—nostalgia, crisp mornings, and possibility. But not this year. Rebecca has thirty days to return home to fix up her late grandmother’s diner or face the consequences. And the only contractor in town? Cort Adams. The man who rejected her one year ago. He’s somehow even better looking as a single dad than when he was the high school football star she once tutored. She’d been hoping to avoid him forever.
As the golden leaves start to fall, Rebecca may find that there’s more to her hometown—and to Cort—than she’d realized, and that the dreams she’s been chasing might have been the wrong ones. Could a spark kindle hot enough in the cool autumn air to call Rebecca home for good?
The Fall Affair by Vi Keeland
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: New Adult Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
*The limited deluxe edition will include designed edges with a quote*
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Vi Keeland comes an all-new fall romance.
She’s counting down the days until she leaves Tuscany. He’s counting on making her stay.
Some people go to Tuscany to find themselves. Allegra Bianchi goes to escape―New York, her ex’s new relationship, and a career that derailed the moment she was passed over for partner.
Her plan is simple: settle her eccentric Italian grandmother’s estate, sell whatever isn’t nailed down, and return to the life she’s worked too hard to lose.
Instead, she walks into a mess―a crumbling antique shop, two hundred acres of leased vineyard land, and one infuriating clause in the will: live and work in the shop for three months, or inherit nothing.
Then there’s the neighbor she clashes with instantly. Matteo Lucchese is the infuriatingly handsome winemaker who leases her family’s land and refuses to be impressed by her credentials―or her attitude. He’s rugged and stubborn, stuck living in a time that feels long past, and the word rush isn’t part of his vocabulary. Basically, they’re exact opposites.
But as the days stretch into weeks, Tuscany chips away at the armor Allegra doesn’t realize she’s wearing, and Matteo shows her the appeal of slowing down, of staying rooted, of wanting something other than climbing the corporate ladder.
She goes to Tuscany to escape.
But now that the countdown to going home is on, Allegra isn’t sure she’s ready to leave.
And the life she’s falling for comes with a looming expiration date.
The Introvert’s Guide to Kissing in Europe by Brenda Janowitz
Publication Date: August 18, 2026
Genre: Young Adult Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon | Karen’s Book Review
13 Little Blue Envelopes meets Love and Gelato in this YA coming-of-age romance about Emily, who takes a gap year in Europe to learn about life, love, and working through grief—while following in her grandmother’s footsteps.
Everything in Emily Tannenbaum’s life is going according to plan. Graduate high school as valedictorian? Check. Gain admission to Dartmouth? Check. Decide to pause everything to embark on a gap year adventure abroad? Wait, what?
Ever since her sister died, Emily has done everything in her power to be the good girl, the safe girl, the one her parents don’t have to worry about. She’s worked hard, she’s studied, she’s attended school-approved functions.
But when her grandmother, a former member of the famous Flower Sisters music duo, proposes that Emily take time off to follow the European tour the Flower Sisters took in 1966, Emily impulsively jumps at the chance as a way to embrace the messy and unexpected parts of life.
As she travels from Spain to Sweden with stops in Paris and Rome along the way, Emily begins to experience all that life has to offer. She deals with pickpockets, dances the night away, has her heart broken, and learns more about herself and where she came from than she ever could have imagined.
Second Chances on Sunrise Bay by Jess Hansen
Midlife Meet Cute Beach Reads #8
Publication Date: August 19, 2026
Genre: Sweet Romantic Comedy
Sand, sun and a summer setup years in the making. Falling in love was never part of the plan.
NATALIE
I know my mom means well, but buying a rundown B&B and volunteering me to renovate it isn’t exactly the summer of rest I had in mind. Making sure Andy comes home to help? That changes everything.
Once upon a time, I was hopelessly in love with my best friend and he never knew. All those feelings came rushing back the minute I saw him step out of his truck, along with a few new ones. The only thing harder than rebuilding this inn might be keeping myself from falling in love with him… again.
ANDREW
Coming back to Sunrise Bay because my mom asked? Expected. I’m a good son. Being blatantly set up with my high school crush? Classic mom move. But seeing Nat again after twenty years? Wow.
She reminds me of everything I should have said and everything I was too afraid to risk. She was always the one: my first regret and my first love. I lost her once, but this time I’m not letting her walk away. Unless she takes my heart with her.
A meddling mother matchmaking scheme creates a second chance for love in an old B&B and this summer, the sparks are flying faster than the drywall dust.
Perfect for readers who love second chances, he falls first, forced proximity, dog sidekicks, beach-town charm, and laugh-out-loud romcom chemistry.
Escape to Sunrise Bay this summer for a heartwarming romance about finally choosing the one that was always meant to be. You’ll fall in love with this wholesome mid-Atlantic midlife meet-cute.
Italy and Forever by Leonie Mack
Wedding Planners #3
Publication Date: August 20, 2026
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | Amazon
Wedding planner Ginny Weller is an unashamed romantic, optimist and believer in happy-ever-afters.
But after a string of disastrous boyfriends, even Ginny is beginning to have doubts. She decides the only course of action is to embark on a self-imposed dating ban. After all, her friends keep telling her that love will arrive when she stops looking.
A few months into the experiment, Ginny’s not convinced. The only man who has set her heart racing is grumpy photographer Rhys, and that was in annoyance rather than passion.
With a dream wedding in Italy to attend, Ginny and Rhys have no option but to spend time together. As the idyllic landscape of the Dolomites weaves its magic, she discovers a softer side to Rhys – and the secrets he’s been keeping – and her heart begins racing for all sorts of other reasons.
Can Ginny’s dating ban survive the most romantic country of all or will the dolce vita – and the ruggedly handsome Rhys – prove impossible to resist?
The Cat Cafe Book Club by Rachel Rowlands
Cat Cafe Romance #4
Publication Date: August 20, 2026
Genre: New Adult Romance
Goodreads | Bookhype | BookBub | StoryGraph | Amazon
Grab yourself a pumpkin spice latte and your best cosy sweater to curl up with this charming, romantic read that will leave a paw print on your heart…
Brenna has moved to the countryside looking for peace and quiet with her many black cats. But Brenna is keeping a secret she can’t share with anyone…
Matt, the cheerful barista behind the counter at Catpurrcino, runs a monthly book club for locals to bring people (and cats) together.
When Matt and Brenna both reach for the same book at the library he invites her to come to the next meeting.
Brenna is wary of letting anyone new into her life, but she can’t say no to her two favourite things combined – cats and books – or Matt’s gorgeous smile.Just as Brenna starts to think she has finally found a haven in the warmth and friendship of the book club they are rocked by terrible news: a big developer is threatening the future of not only the café, but the whole town.
Brenna and Matt vow to do all they can to save it. As they battle against the odds, Brenna begins to let the town, and Matt, into her heart.Has Brenna finally found a place to call home? And what will happen when her past finally catches up to her?
🐈☕📖🧁🧁🧁📖☕🐈Tropes:
🐈 Secret millionaire
☕Opposites attract
📖Books about books
🧁Small town
🐈 Found family
Well, that’s it for the New Books Releasing Week 34 of 2026
Drop a comment if you like one of the books above or if you have one to recommend.
Thank you for stopping by,
Happy Reading!
Baroness’ Book Trove is an Amazon affiliate, meaning that if you click the link and purchase something, this blog gets a tiny percentage back. Mainly, this helps with the cost of the website and a few giveaways.
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