Readers can look forward to a lot of great books in 2023. No matter your preferred genre, you are sure to find some new releases to scratch any literary itch. We’ve tried to represent a multitude of literary genres, including fantasy, romance, YA, and non-fiction among others. These books will have a lot to offer, from new takes on well-discussed concepts to whole new worlds for readers to explore.
Some upcoming releases, like Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian, are follow-ups to books that blew readers away. Others, like The Build-Up by Tati Richardson are debut features that are just waiting to be discovered. In no particular order, here are some of the upcoming 2023 book releases that have us massively hyped.
1. Yellowface by R.F. Kuang (Release Date May 16, 2023)
Let’s be honest, we’re still processing R. F. Kuang’s stunningly brilliant work of art, Babel. Kuang’s upcoming feature, Yellowface is going to be a dark comedy about cultural appropriation. It will tell the story of a white author who feels entitled to steal another’s identity and continues to justify it to herself. It will be a meditation on racism and the lack of diversity in publishing and many other industries.
R.F. Kuang has already established herself as a literary and academic powerhouse. Her stories make you think. Kuang is an important voice to have, particularly when non-white voices are still way too often prioritized in academia, the publishing industry, and the literary world. Important conversations are happening about cultural appropriation, and this story is sure to be a necessary part of continuing these discussions.
2. Kissing Kosher by Jean Meltzer (Release Date August 23, 2023)
Kissing Kosher will be a romance novel revolving around rivals-to-lovers Avital Cohen and Ethan Lippmann. These two are bakers with opposing goals, who may just find they have a lot more in common than they realize. Stolen family recipes and a slow-burn romance are what readers can look forward to when diving into the latest from Jean Meltzer.
What makes Meltzer’s work so compelling is her attention to Jewish and disability representation. Pelvic pain is something that’s rarely talked about above-hushed whispers of shame. Putting a character front-and-center who lives with this may just spark conversations and help people feel more comfortable sharing their experiences in real life.
3. Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao (Release Date August 29, 2023)
Xiran Jay Zhao’s upcoming book Heavenly Tyrant is a follow-up to their debut YA novel, Iron Widow. The upcoming book will continue the journey of Wu Zetian as they join up with someone they don’t want because of a common enemy. These characters will be back smashing the patriarchy with mechas, and will no doubt look good doing it.
Zhao rose to fame during the pandemic for their videos about Chinese history and culture. They have continued to develop this fantasy world that also draws on historical inspiration. They have a unique ability to reflect on the past and re-interpret these stories for a modern audience. Theirs is a voice desperately needed in the world of YA fiction.
4. Stardust in Their Veins by Laura Sebastian (Release Date February 07, 2023)
Laura Sebastian’s latest, Stardust in Their Veins, will be the second in Castles in Their Bones trilogy. Full disclosure, we loved the first one. Protagonists Daphne and Beatriz will continue to discover the real extent of their powers. Readers can probably also expect further exploration of the power dynamic between the two princesses and their mother.
After the ending of Castles in Their Bones, readers have been clamoring for a follow-up. Before we get too excited, Sebastian is sure to throw another signature curveball that is going to have readers begging for book 3 yesterday. This unique world is worth revisiting again and again and we can’t wait.
5. The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (Release Date August 29, 2023)
Jennifer Lynne Barnes has enthralled readers with her Knives Out-esque whodunits, the Inheritance Games trilogy. Now, we can look forward to a prequel, delving into where this story all began. The Hawthornes are a bundle of chaos, that has layers upon layers to be dissected.
Backstories and prequels in general can definitely be hit or miss. However, this entire universe definitely lends itself well to further examining just what makes the Hawthornes brothers tick. We can hopefully look forward to getting more insight into this family that has so much more to it than meets the eye.
6. Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo (Release Date January 10, 2023)
Leigh Bardugo’s Hell Bent is a long-awaited follow-up to Ninth House. The story combines dark academia with dark magic with a murder that needs to be solved. The stakes aren’t getting any lower. This series is finally getting moved forward, as it always deserved.
The fantasy world Bardugo has created is so incredibly unique. Sure, all fantasy has to be imaginative. Bardugo’s is a standout, however. The combination of academia and magic is a, well, magical one. We can’t wait to return to this universe.
7. The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame by Holly Black (Release Date January 03, 2023)
Holly Black, author of The Cruel Prince series is kicking off a new Elfhame duology with The Stolen Heir. The duology will focus on Jude’s brother Oake, and Queen Suren. Reluctant royalty is always a fun time, and Black is the author who does it.
It will be interesting to return to the universe that Black has created, and focus on a new set of characters. Black’s middle-grade, YA, and adult fiction have had readers everywhere frantically turning the pages. If 2023 in books is going to be all about fantasy, we’re along for the ride.
8. Spare by Prince Harry (Release Date – January 10, 2023)
Books in 2023 wouldn’t be complete without Prince Harry’s upcoming memoir, Spare. We’ve been watching Meghan and Harry’s Netflix series. It told their story from a new perspective and showed that these two are massively in love. Perhaps the memoir is going to spill a bit more royal-tea.
We are always up for taking down the British royal mess. We talked about it in our review of The Crown. Possibly, we may be able to look forward to a closer look at a man who gave up a royal life. Any shade thrown at the new King would be most welcomed. If nothing else, we may get to know the British spare to the throne just a little bit more.
9. The Quarantine Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot (Release Date March 7, 2023)
We know for sure that COVID-19 isn’t over. That’s why it’s kind of nice to see Meg Cabot giving us a new Genovia entry, set in the earlier days of the pandemic. We know Queen Mia wasn’t messing around with misinformation and half-measures to protect her country. Everyone should be so lucky.
For anyone who came of age in the early 2000s, The Princess Diaries was essential viewing. The story of empowerment and discovering oneself was unmatched. Any excuse to return to Genovia has to be taken immediately. Books in 2023 aren’t complete without this latest royal saga.
10. Marry Me by Midnight by Felicia Grossman (Release Date August 08, 2023)
The latest from romance author Felicia Grossman is coming this summer. Marry Me by Midnight is a re-telling of the Cinderella story. A woman must marry a man to save her family while being denied the man she truly loves. Let’s just say we’re sold.
This book is sure to be another one that can hold us over while we wait anxiously for any crumb of Bridgerton news. We also love the Jewish representation that’s always on the cover. Jewish romance often gets left out of historical fiction. It’s long past the time these stories were included.
11. The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (Release Date February 14, 2023)
Roshani Chokshi’s The Last Tale of the Flower Bride looks like it will be the definition of a vibes-only experience, and we love it. From the description, it’s clear that readers are in for a mystical adventure, infused with a Mexican Gothic feel. To say anymore seems to be reductive. The ride just needs to be enjoyed.
Unique stories like these are always worth checking out. Even if the story seems larger-than-life, there could very well be stories and characters to love. Making new myths rooted in old ones is always a fantastic exercise in storytelling. We are willing to dive right in.
12. Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa (Release Date April 4, 2023)
Our 2023 book list wouldn’t be complete without more Bridgerton-adjacent content. Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa promises to be just that. The story is set against the backdrop of the occupation of Mexico by France. This will be a story of love, political intrigue, and a fun rags-to-riches romp.
We love a regency romance that acknowledges that POC were always a part of the ton. This looks like it will be a unique take on the regency era, with the addition of the political storyline. We love when romances set in any time period take a moment to appreciate the full context of their own historical era.
13. The Build-Up by Tati Richardson (Release Date March 28, 2023)
A more contemporary romance for our list is Tati Richardson’s debut novel The Build Up. This story is going to focus on a really bad day at work, that has an unexpected ending. Unexpected love can be some of the best kind, and this story looks like it just might fit the bill.
We love to see amazing Black leads in our romances, written by equally incredible Black authors. Contemporary romance deserves just as much love as historical ones. Plus this story just looks so relatable. Who among us hasn’t wanted a crappy day at work to have a happy ending?
14. Can’t Let Her Go by Kianna Alexander (Release Date June 20, 2023)
For those who love a good friends-to-lovers story, Can’t Let Her Go by Kianna Alexander might be the next book you’re looking for. Peaches Monroe and Jamie Hunt are a part of the same friend group. When they become something more, chaos is sure to ensue.
Again, we cannot emphasize enough that the romance genre needs far, FAR more stories about Black women. Relatedly, the romance genre also needs way more LGBTQ+ stories within the Black community. These, combined with the fact that this promises to be a really sweet, solid friends-to-lovers romance means we are totally committed.
15. You Think You Know Me by Ayaan Mohamud (Release Date February 02, 2023)
Another debut book that made our 2023 book list is You Think You Know Me coming from Ayaan Mohamud. This is going to be a coming-of-age story about a Muslim girl, trying to reconcile her identity in an Islamophobic world. The protagonist is held up as a poster child as the perfect Muslim girl. How long can it last?
This story is going to be an important one, as Islamophobia continues to rise around the world. Seeing these issues through the eyes of someone young is sure to be a jarring but necessary experience for readers. The coming-of-age genre is an enthralling one, and we can’t wait to watch this character come into her own.
16. These Infinite Threads by Tahereh Mafi (Release Date February 07, 2023)
These Infinite Threads is a follow-up to Tahereh Mafi’s This Woven Kingdom. These stories are based on Persian folklore. This Woven Kingdom made a massive impact when it was released. This is another story that mixes human stories with mythical ones.
This is another follow-up to a story that ended on a massive cliffhanger. The human element grounds an otherwise fantastical story like this one. For fans of stories that mix fantasy stories with very human ones, this series, and this follow-up are worth checking out.
17. The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores (Release Date March 21, 2023)
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores has a lot going for it. This story is going to be an LGBTQ+ re-telling of Rapunzel. This time, there are witches and vampires. We are always down for re-framing old fairytales that absolutely deserve to be updated.
We definitely don’t need to be convinced to read a story about witches and vampires. Both remain incredibly popular in the modern world, and there’s no sign that this is changing anytime soon. Stories about LGTQ+ witches and vampires definitely need to continue being added considering how little we see of them.
18. The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur (Release Date April 18, 2023)
The Fiancee Farce by Alexandria Bellefleur is going to be a sapphic rom-com about a marriage of convenience. If that’s not enough to convince you, the protagonists are a bookseller and a cover model for romance books. Fake love turning into real love? Where do we sign?
The description enough is really more than enough reason to get us to buy in. Seriously, there isn’t anything about this story that we don’t already love. The tropes, the WLW romance, and a bookseller to boot. This is sure to be a charming journey for readers to take.
19. Teach the Torches to Burn: A Romeo & Juliet Remix by Caleb Roehrig (Release Date August 22, 2023)
Teach the Torches to Burn by Caleb Roehrig is another re-telling. This time, Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is getting a MLM treatment. This breathless teen romance will still be set in the iconic Verona. Even though everyone knows the ending, this may very well be a journey worth taking.
As a full disclosure, this writer has always had something of a personal vendetta against Romeo and Juliet, for a myriad of ideological reasons. This story has always needed a re-write. This may be the exact right venue to re-frame this story.
20. The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by K. J. Charles (Release Date March 07, 2023)
K.J. Charles’ The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen is a regency romance featuring one Sir Gareth Inglis as he falls head over heels for the man of his dreams. The story is described as Bridgerton meets Poldark. Frankly, nothing more needs to be said.
It’s been established that we are all-in for historical romances that feature just a bit of intrigue. Characters who find each other and themselves while facing certain crimes will always have a place in readers’ hearts. Also, we need regency content to hold us over until Polin can sweep us off of our collective feet.