The author of Maame is back with an exploration of friendship, a trend I’ve been seeing (and loving) lately. Let’s start with Remy, whose debut novel about her three besties was instantly successful upon release. She’s lucky in that way, but on the other hand, now that she’s looking for inspiration for her next book, she can’t seem to find any…nor can she seem to find her friends, who have each drifted away from her. Then there’s Simone, a successful kindergarten teacher who is so busy with her main job and side hustle that she doesn’t have much in her left for a social life. Once the two literally bump into each other in a bookstore, they each might be just what the other needs. If they can get over their secrets, that is. —Erica Ezeifedi

This is a queer dark fantasy debut that explores the story of The Little Mermaid long after Arielle landed her prince! Arielle’s granddaughter, Yemi, is set to inherit the throne of Ixia after her father is assassinated, until a coup forces her and her family into exile. Furious over her family’s treatment, Yemi looks for help from Ursula the sea-witch, who sees in Yemi the perfect way to get her own revenge. —Liberty Hardy

In January, the TV series His & Hers started airing, adapted from Alice Feeney’s book of the same name. A couple weeks later, Feeney’s new thriller released—so it’s no surprise it’s gotten a lot of attention. This follows a woman who returns to her home one day to find her key no longer fits the lock, and the woman who opens the door claims to be her husband’s wife. It promises to be a “mind-bending marriage thriller.” This was read by almost 15,000 Goodreads users this week and has a 4.1 average rating.

This turned out to be the sleeper hit of 2025: it has kept growing in popularity, seemingly just from word-of-mouth recommendations. Recently, Katie Couric named it the first pick for her new book club. It’s about a woman who has written letters daily her whole life. When someone from her past writes back, she has to reevaluate a painful period in her life and find a way to forgive. This was read by almost 19,000 users this week and has a 4.5 average rating.

The latest McFadden thriller is about an advice columnist who has been guiding the women who write to her through dealing with their lackluster or even abusive husbands. When she loses her job and realizes her husband is keeping secrets from her, she decides it’s time for her to take her own advice and get revenge. Almost 19,000 Goodreads users read it this week, and it has a 4.0 average rating.

Abby Jimenez is a bestselling romance author whose 2024 novel, Just for the Summer, was a breakout hit. Her newest is the second book in the Say You’ll Remember Me series. It follows Larissa, who is in a rocky relationship with Mike. Meanwhile, Mike’s best friend, Chris, is falling for Larissa, but he’s determined not to blow up their friend group by making a move. The Night We Met was read by 25,000 Goodreads users this week, and it has a 4.2 average rating.

This 2021 sci-fi novel from the author of The Martian is getting renewed interest thanks to the movie adaptation starring Ryan Gosling, out now. Like The Martian, Project Hail Mary is hard sci-fi about an isolated man in space. Ryland Grace is a junior high teacher and former molecular biologist who becomes the unlikely last hope of life on Earth. It was read by almost 38,000 Goodreads users this week and has a 4.5 average rating.