As with the start of any new year comes a new TBR list and a whole lot of excitement around new worlds we get to dive into, leaving reality once we step foot into our homes after a long day at work. So, what are some of the top anticipated booktok book releases for 2026? Here’s a list of 5 anticipated books for 2026 – all of which I will be adding to my TBR for sure.

1. Throne of Nightmares by Kerri Maniscalco

Expected Feb 10

The third book in the Prince of Sin series, this book follows Throne of the Fallen and Throne of Secrets and is described by the author herself as a “standalone fantasy romance”. This book will be a trope lover’s (like me) playground because the characters are literally ‘jumping’ into different books, experiencing all of the tropes! It’s giving grumpy vs. sunshine, forced proximity, intellectual sparring and slow burn. Everything we enjoy!

2. The Night We Met by Abby Jimenez

Expected 24 March

This is the second heart-wrenching and emotionally complicated romance in the ‘Say You’ll Remember Me’ series. We’re talking ‘in love with her boyfriend’s best friend’ vibes. Steamy? I think so! So, we have forbidden romance, slow-burning and pining, and a caretaker with a struggling FMC. The book is also said to explore the ‘what if’ and parallel life choices.

3. Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry

Expected 7 April

Next for our anticipated booktok releases for 2026 is Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry – the second book in the Shield of Sparrows series. The FMC, a princess, journeys across a cursed realm to discover the truth about her family. But it is not that simple – it never is! Her quest intertwines with a lost warrior (love interest, maybe?)

The tropes include separated lovers, enemies-to-lovers, found family, forbidden knowledge and of course, a morally grey main character.

4. The Ballad of Falling Dragons by Sarah A. Parker

Expected 28 April

This is the second book in the Moonfall series by Sarah A. Parker, and it’s safe to say that the first book ended on a massive cliffhanger from what I’ve heard (I haven’t actually read the book myself – but am definitely planning on doing so!).

The FMC is grappling with her new identity and there’s a crown bearing many burdens! The tropes you can expect from this book include identity reveal, fated mates, he falls first, slow burn and quest for vengeance.

5. The Half-hearted Queen by Charlie N. Holmberg

Expecte 3 March

The Half-hearted Queen is a dark fantasy concluding the Shattered King duo series. We have forbidden love, with a FMC who is in desperate need to get back to her lover and who needs to escape her captors. There’s war, fallen kingdoms and magic. What else could a girl ask for? Oh, did I mention forbidden love?

Tropes we can expect from this gem include forbidden love (just in case you haven’t heard), hidden magic, reluctant ruler and slow burn.

There’s obviously a very clear theme that I’m going for in 2026 (bar book 2), and I’m not ashamed! I feel that I have not yet scratched the surface of romantasy and dark fantasy, and I am making 2026 the year of doing so. I realise that there are a few books on this list that are not ‘book 1’, so will also be making sure that I start the series properly.

I am looking forward to reviewing these books once they have been devoured!

What’s on your TBR for 2026?

Keep reading x

#onemorechapter