It’s set to be an exciting year for bookworms as some big hitters are landing on the shelves in the next twelve months.

From romantasy (romantic fantasy) to Second World War anniversary recollections and a celebration of Jane Austen, some hot book trends are already rising to the top.

“Romance has been absolutely huge, particularly what we call spicy romance,” says Bea Carvalho, head of books at Waterstones. “We’ve got books coming from big-name authors including Jojo Moyes, Emily Henry and Taylor Jenkins Reid.”

Meanwhile, manifesting is still drawing readers, with a new book from self-help guru Paul McKenna, while other subjects set to be addressed include ADHD and ultra-processed food.

Here are just a few of the books to look out for in 2025…

THE ACCIDENTAL SOLDIER by Owain Mulligan

The brother of actor Carey Mulligan provides this searingly honest and darkly funny account of what it was really like being in the British Army in Iraq during one of the most violent periods of the conflict. Published by Hodder and Stoughton on April 10.

ATMOSPHERE by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book, set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle programme, tells a passionate story about the power of love among the stars. It comes from the author of the acclaimed historical drama, the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Published by Hutchinson Heinemann on June 3.

THE BALLAD OF FALLING DRAGONS by Sarah A Parker

Currently Waterstones’ biggest pre-order title, this romantasy sequel to When the Moon Hatched sees Raeve and Kaan return to more danger, dragons and romance. Published by HarperVoyager on October 7.

BIRTHING by Davina McCall

Following the success of Menopausing, the TV presenter is now homing in on birthing in what claims to be the ultimate guide to conception, pregnancy, birth, and postpartum, blending her honesty with expert insights to empower and support women through every stage of the journey. Published by HQ on May 22.

DREAM COUNT by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

This one from the award-winning author of We Should All be Feminists has been 10 years in the making. It centres on a Nigerian travel writer living in the US during the pandemic who recalls her past lovers, choices and regrets. Published by 4th Estate on March 4.

DEATH AT THE WHITE HART by Chris Chibnall

Watch out for this debut novel from the award-winning writer of the hit TV series Broadchurch. Set in a small-town community in the South West, a city CID detective moves back to Dorset and is thrown straight into a murder mystery. Published by Penguin Michael Joseph on March 27.

IS A RIVER ALIVE? by Robert Macfarlane

This author explores the past, present and future of our rivers and how they are threatened, wounded and defended, starting in northern Ecuador, meandering through Southern India and ending in northeastern Quebec. Published by Hamish Hamilton on May 1.

MATRIARCH by Tina Knowles

Fans should lap up this memoir from Tina Knowles, the mother of singer-songwriters Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Solange Knowles and bonus daughter Kelly Rowland, in this chronicle of family love and heartbreak and all the perseverance needed to take a girl from Galveston, Texas, to change the world. Published by Dialogue Books on April 22.

MURDER ON LINE ONE by Jeremy Vine

He’s written romantic fiction and assorted memoirs and now the popular radio and TV presenter leaps into the world of crime, with his debut murder mystery about a killer on the airwaves. Published by HarperCollins on April 24.

THE SEVENTH FLOOR by David McCloskey

Fans of espionage thrillers should bag a copy of the third part in this stand-out series from the former CIA officer. The latest is focused on a Russian mole hidden within the upper reaches of the CIA, with the plot bouncing between the corridors of Langley and the Kremlin. Published by Swift Press on January 30.

SHARPE’S STORM by Bernard Cornwell

The 19th book in the Sharpe adventure series finds the war against Napoleon raging around Europe and, as Britain is poised to invade France for the first time, Richard Sharpe and his men face a truly fierce army. Published by HarperCollins on October 21.

SHOW DON’T TELL by Curtis Sittenfeld

The acclaimed author homes in on urban Midwesterners dealing with middle-aged disillusionment in this amusing collection of stories featuring moving moments, moral dilemmas, comedy and life lessons. Published by Doubleday on February 27.

SO THRILLED FOR YOU by Holly Bourne

This latest book centres on a group of friends at different stages of their lives, and their decisions on whether to have a baby or not, until the friendships unfold at a baby shower. Published by Hodder and Stoughton, January 16.

STORY OF MY LIFE by Lucy Score

Billed as the romantic figurehead for a new generation, Lucy Score has already sold 15.5 million books in 29 languages, while her previous novel Things We Never Got Over is being adapted for TV. So there’s much anticipation for her new book, described as Gilmore Girls meets Schitt’s Creek, about a recently divorced writer who moves to a new town looking for new beginnings. Published by Hodder and Stoughton on March 13.

THE STRAWBERRY PATCH PANCAKE HOUSE by Laurie Gilmore

Waterstones is expecting this new small-town romance from the author of TikTok phenomenon the Pumpkin Spice Café to be massive, given its ‘slightly sexy’ content. Published by One More Chapter on March 13.

TAKE CARE: A MEMOIR OF LOVE, FAMILY AND NEVER GIVING UP by Lindsey Burrow

The widow of the late Leeds Rhinos rugby player and fundraiser for Motor Neurone Disease, Rob Burrow, opens up about finding resilience and love as she cared for her husband while doing her day job with the NHS and raising a young family. With a foreword by the Prince of Wales. Published by Century on February 27.

THREE DAYS IN JUNE by Anne Tyler

Out in time for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author brings us the story of a woman whose daughter is getting married and whose estranged husband turns up in time for the wedding. Published by Chatto and Windus on February 13.

VICTORY 45 by James Holland and Al Murray

This stand-out book marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War features six surrenders which heralded the Allied victory in the summer of 1945. Published by Bantam on April 24.

WE ALL LIVE HERE by Jojo Moyes

Watch out for this family drama from the bestselling author of Me Before You and the Giver of Stars, who brings us this follow-up to her novel Someone Else’s Shoes, 30 years after her protagonist Lila Kennedy’s father ran away to Hollywood. Now, he returns to wreck – or save – her life. Published by Penguin Michael Joseph on February 11.

WHISTLE by Linwood Barclay

He’s best known for his taut thrillers, but Linwood Barclay brings us his debut horror in which a children’s author and illustrator finds strange things happening when her son finds a forgotten train set in their new house. She is also being compelled to draw a disturbing new character who has no place in a children’s book. Published by HarperCollins on June 5.

THE WOMEN’S ORCHESTRA OF AUSCHWITZ by Anne Sebba

This moving account of 50 female prisoners who were drafted into an orchestra at Auschwitz to play marching music in the camp will be one to watch. Almost all of the musicians survived. Published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson on March 27.