Can we all agree that publishers have absolutely no respect for our TBRs?
Just when I start convincing myself that this is the month I’ll finally catch up on my backlist, July swoops in with a fresh stack of gorgeous new releases that I immediately need to own.
This month is serving up dark fantasy, chilling horror, twisty thrillers, cozy mysteries, and enough speculative fiction to keep me happily ignoring my ever-growing physical TBR.
Here are the July releases I’m most excited to get my hands on!
🖤 Sea of Charms by Sara Beth Durst
Release Date: July 28, 2026
Sara Beth Durst has become one of those authors I automatically pay attention to. Her stories always blend beautiful world-building with unforgettable characters, and Sea of Charms sounds like another enchanting fantasy adventure that’s perfect for readers who love immersive magical worlds.
👻 Augusta Pine Does Not Exist by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Small-town mysteries? Check.
Supernatural vibes? Check.
An eerie premise that practically begs to be read with the lights on? Also check.
This YA speculative mystery has been on my radar ever since I first read the synopsis, and I have a feeling it’s going to be one of those books everyone is talking about this summer.
🩸 The Safe Room by Lisa Unger
Release Date: July 1, 2026
Lisa Unger rarely disappoints when it comes to psychological suspense, and this latest thriller sounds deliciously unsettling. I’m always in the mood for unreliable narrators, buried secrets, and twists that make me question everything I thought I knew.
If this one keeps me guessing until the very last page, it’ll be a win in my book.
☠️ Helpless by Jessica Knoll
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Jessica Knoll knows how to write stories that are equal parts compelling and uncomfortable, and Helpless sounds like it’ll be one of the most talked-about thrillers of the month. The premise promises psychological tension, complicated relationships, and plenty of suspense—all things I can’t resist.
🕯️ Pretty Dead Things by Kelsey Cox
Release Date: July 7, 2026
Atmospheric mysteries are my weakness, and everything I’ve seen about Pretty Dead Things has me incredibly intrigued. If early readers are anything to go by, this one delivers creepy small-town secrets and plenty of twists.
Needless to say…it’s already found a home on my wishlist.
👹 Fabulous Bodies by Chuck Tingle
Release Date: July 7, 2026
If you’ve only heard of Chuck Tingle because of his…let’s call them memorable book titles…it’s worth knowing that his recent horror has been earning serious praise.
Fabulous Bodies looks delightfully strange, unsettling, and unlike anything else releasing this month. Sometimes the weirdest books end up being the most memorable.
📚 What’s on Your July TBR?
Every month I tell myself I’m going to stop adding books to my wishlist.
Every month I fail spectacularly.
July has some fantastic releases across fantasy, horror, thrillers, and speculative fiction, and I already know several of these are destined to make their way onto my shelves before the month is over.
Which July release are you most excited for? Let me know in the comments! I’m always looking for new books to add to my ever-growing TBR…because apparently I enjoy living under a mountain of unread books.
Happy reading! 💙📖
literary gluttony 
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