Stories of 2026: The Books I Can’t Wait to Open!

It seems only yesterday 2025 was just beginning, now it’s nearing its end. In the new year there’s new opportunities, new beginnings, & of course, new books! There’s several books I can’t wait to open and read in 2026, so I will do my best to keep this short! Join me as we become excited together over new stories!

A Murder Most Delicious by Danielle Postel-Vinay is a culinary mystery that takes place in Paris that has French food, murder friendship and of course love. American Olivia Beech is in France to start over and celebrity Chef Jacques de Bizet invites her to Paris for a job interview. Unfortunatley, the job interview ends in murder, & Olivia is the prime suspect in Jacques’s death. Olivia, with the help of Augusta Dupin and a fun cast of characters, they must all work together to solve the murder of Jacques and clear Olivia’s name before time runs out. Danielle Postel-Vinay is the pen name for Danielle Trussoni. I know that if Danielle Trussoni writes it, it’s going to be great! The book will be released on March 26^th 2026! I can’t wait to read it and do a Behind The Book with Danielle again. I know with the story taking place in Paris with a murder mystery, it will be most delicious…

Whisper Creek by Allison Brennan tells the story of Ellen, a recent widow, is desperately trying to keep the family farm afloat. Unfortunately, it proves to be easier said than done when Ellen is facing an agribusiness who wants to buy her out. Accidents and now the weather which she has no control over could ruin everything. I know that I’m going to enjoy this one because it’s in the same vein as North Of Nowhere where the protagonists must deal with the elements on top of dangerous people.  Whisper Creek will be available on June 23^rd, 2026! Whether you’re an Allison Brennan fan or you’re a huge fan of mysteries in general and are looking forward to another mystery, this is something to get excited about! I look forward to doing another Behind The Book with Allison Brennan!

The Boleyn Secret by Alison Weir is what I know will be another excellent historical fiction novel this time about Katherine Carey, the niece of Queen Anne Boelyn and King Henry VIII. Katherine witnessed the murder of her aunt the Queen and is convinced her Uncle The King is guilty of murder and is a heartless murderer. While the Boelyn’s have fallen from favor, Katherine is able to secure a spot at court and is close to her cousin Elizabeth. They are close as sisters… as Katherine’s mother Mary lay dying, she finds out a secret that will shock her to her core and follows her into adult hood. While Queens rise and fall and at one point Katherine and her husband flee England during Queen Mary Tudor’s persecution of Protestants, they return once Elizabeth is Queen, but their bond is no longer the same.  If you’re a life long fan of Alison Weir or you’re a new fan of hers who enjoys historical fiction this is something to keep on your radar! The Boleyn Secret will be available on May 26^th! I look forward to doing another Behind The Book With Alison!

Daughters of The Sun & Moon by Lisa See tells the story of 3 women who immigrate from China to Los Angeles in the year 1870. 3 women from different backgrounds all hoping for a better future even if times were tenuous. Eventually there is the infamous Chinse massacre that breaks each woman to the core as to what to do next. I like the idea that each woman has desires of their own but what remains the same is the bond of sisterhood. Dove wants to love and be loved, Petal desires freedom, and Moon seeks justice. Daughters of The Sun & Moon will be released on June 2^nd 2026! Whether you’re a life long Lisa See fan or if you’re a new fan of hers that enjoys historical fiction, this is something to keep on your radar! I look forward to doing my first Behind The Book With Lisa!

Maybe Its Fate by Heidi McLaughlin is a woman Antonia Bernardi who uproots her life from a career and a relationship to take care of her friend Marian Vaughn and her two children as Marian has a cruel prognosis meaning she may not have long. Along the way, Antonia falls for Marian’s sons coach & former MLB star Weston Schmidt. The romance comes unexpectedly and in Antonia’s mind this isn’t the time to be thinking of romance. Or perhaps… maybe it is time she thinks about this new opportunity…. I fell in love with Starting Over by Heidi McLaughlin so I know this will also be an excellent story! I look forward to interviewing Heidi again after I read it. Maybe Its Fate will be released on April 1^st!

 The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza combines mystery, art and a dual timeline between the past and the present. In the present day, Emma is an American hoping for a fresh start in Paris as an artist. Unfortunately, her dream seems like such a pipe dream as she’s cleaning for the rich. Emma meets Stella Swanson, a widow of one of the most prominent art dealers in the business. The Swansons move in a world where billionaires, oligarchs, and heads of state pay fortunes to own artistic masterpieces, but not all that glitters is gold and Emma has to figure out her way around a glittering yet dangerous world. In the late 1800s Amsterdam, Jo Van Goh widow and sister in law to the late Vincent Van Goh, is trying to hold onto a future for herself and her son and prove her late brother in law’s art is not worthless. A vanished painting and a thwarted love affair leave Jo unsure of who to trust. I can’t wait to read this mystery that goes through the present and past and see how it all connects. The Parisian Heist will be available on July 14^th 2026! I can’t wait to do another Behind The Book With Jo Piazza.

 Conclusion

As a reader, this list of books I can’t wait to read is going to be a list that may never end. Or perhaps I would have to do a part 2 and part 3 hehe! I hope this list has you excited for new year and new stories waiting to be told! What are the stories you can’t wait to read?