Find your next read with my list of spring 2020 new book releases!

With the warmer weather comes a new round of book releases! The spring 2020 new book releases are loaded with a variety of enticing debuts and new options from established authors.

As usual, I picked the spring 2020 new books that I’m most interested in reading, so they’re mostly fiction, historical fiction, YA, and fantasy. You can always check publisher websites or other book bloggers’ upcoming new book releases posts for the next great thriller/mystery.

I have access to a few of these spring 2020 new book releases through NetGalley, blog tours, and I even received physical ARCs of two of them from the publisher! Keep an eye out on future blog posts for my thoughts. I’ll share whether I recommend reading them or whether they’re ones you can skip.

So, let’s check out the best spring 2020 new book releases!

*Disclosure – I earn a small commission for any items purchased through the links below at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting this book blog!

Spring 2020 New Book Releases

April 2020 New Book Releases

• Chosen Ones (Fantasy)
• The Book of Lost Friends (Historical Fiction)
• It Sounded Better in My Head (Young Adult)
• The Happy Ever After Playlist (Contemporary Romance)
• The Book of Longings (Historical Fiction}
• The Moment of Tenderness (Short Stories)
• The Sweeney Sisters (Women’s Fiction)

Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth
Genre: Fantasy
Publish Date: April 7, 2020

Summary: You may recognize the author from the Divergent series! She’s stepping into adult fantasy this time with the first book in a new series. It’s a “where are they now” type story that examines the lives of five individuals who were trained as magical destructive forces.

Fifteen years ago, these five were selected to destroy a terrible evil. Now, they’ve somewhat adjusted to their lives, but get pulled back in when one of them dies. | Amazon

 

 

The Book of Lost Friends by Lisa Wingate
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publish Date: April 7, 2020

Summary: Lisa Wingate takes us back to the South after the Civil War, where three women are searching for their families. A long journey connects a freed slave, a former plantation darling, and her Creole half-sister. Their stories are brought to life by a first-year teacher who makes a startling discovery in 1987. | Amazon

 

 

 

 

It Sounded Better in My Head by Nina Kenwood
Genre: Young Adult
Publish Date: April 7, 2020

Summary: Natalie’s parents split up and her two best friends start dating each other. So you can say she’s not exactly happy with life right now. In her perfect version, she imagined she’d end up with the guy someday and her parents would definitely still be together. Further complications arise when a new romantic interest enters the picture…

I absolutely adore awkward teen romances, with all the missteps, confusion, and big feelings that come at that stage. I have a feeling this will live up to all my hopes for it! | Amazon

 

 

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publish Date: April 14, 2020

Summary: The Happy Ever Playlist is a follow up Jimenez’ hit contemporary romance, The Friend Zone. This time we get a look into Sloane’s life, two years after the tragedy. When she takes in a dog that looks like it needs a home, she finally starts to feel back to normal. Weeks after trying to contact the dog’s owner, he finally responds and wants him back. But Sloane is not about to give up without a fight.

The Friend Zone was an unexpected emotional read for me and I was thrilled when the publisher sent me a copy of this followup novel. Sloane definitely deserves her own book (and love story)! Keep an eye out for my review coming soon! | Amazon

 

 

The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publish Date: April 21, 2020

Summary: I don’t want to read too much about this book so it can unfold as a surprise, but it tells the story of a woman named Ana who is married to Jesus. She faces peril, difficult decisions, secrets, and more as she finds her own voice.

As a Christian, I am undeniably intrigued by this book but also nervous about reading. It sounds like it focuses more on Ana’s story than getting into the details of Jesus’ ministry, so I’m on board with that. I’m curious how Kidd will handle known historical facts or whether she’ll take some liberties with the story. This would probably be a great book club pick!! | Amazon

 

 

The Moment of Tenderness by Madeleine L’Engle
Genre: Short Story Collection
Publish Date: April 21, 2020

Summary: One of L’Engle’s granddaughters discovered eighteen short stories loosely inspired by her early life and career. Her usual elements of magic and fantasy are still found here, but hope and joy are the overarching themes.

I am not usually a short story reader (ok, never), but I can’t resist anything by Madeleine L’Engle. Since these were all written decades ago, I’m curious what it will be like to read them now. | Amazon

 

 

 

The Sweeney Sisters by Lisa Dolan
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: April 28, 2020

Summary: Three sisters return to their hometown after their father dies unexpectedly. As they plan an Irish wake for their iconic father, a few unexpected secrets reveal themselves. The most shocking involves a revelation after a neighbor takes an at-home DNA test. | Amazon

 

 

 

 

Are you interested in any of these spring 2020 new book releases yet? Share which ones in the comments!

 

May 2020 New Book Releases

• Aurora Burning (YA Science Fiction)
• Summer Darlings (Historical Fiction)
• Of Literature and Lattes (Fiction)
• Girl, Serpent, Thorn (YA Fantasy)
• Big Summer (Women’s Fiction)
• The Gilded Ones (YA Fantasy)

 

Aurora Burning by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman
Genre: YA Science Fiction
Publish Date: May 5, 2020

Summary: Ok I admittedly did not read a single thing about this book haha. I just know it’s the sequel to Aurora Rising, a sci-fi novel by this writing duo from 2019. I keep hearing terrific things about that one so it’s on my list to read. I don’t want any spoilers before reading the first book 🙂 | Amazon

 

 

 

 

Summer Darlings by Brooke Lea Foster
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publish Date: May 5, 2020

Summary: Head back in time to Martha’s Vineyard during the 1960’s. A young Irish college girl takes a position as a nanny for a wealthy family on the island. Over the course of the summer, she experiences young love and a taste of the glamorous life. However, as time wears on, she understands the depth of the secrets and lies that surround the rich and famous. | Amazon

 

 

 

 

Of Literature and Lattes by Katherine Reay
Genre: Fiction
Publish Date: May 12, 2020

Summary: Alyssa is hiding out back home in Winsome after her tech start-up fell under investigation. Jeremy moved to Winsome to be closer to his daughter and open up his dream coffee shop. Business isn’t doing well though, so Jeremy asks Alyssa for help. He quickly realizes he wants to be around her for more than her business knowledge, though.

I really enjoyed Katherine’s last novel set in Winsome, so I expect this will be another fun read! | Amazon

 

 

 

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publish Date: May 12, 2020

Summary: A fairy tale about a girl who is poisonous to touch. Soraya’s spent her whole life away from people, but she contemplates making an exception for her twin brother’s wedding. She also must choose between a demon who holds secrets to her freedom and a boy who looks at her without fear, despite her condition.

This has an undeniably gorgeous cover! That alone makes me want to snag a copy! I also think the idea sounds unique and hope it’s well executed. | Amazon

 

 

 

Big Summer by Jennifer Weiner
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: May 19, 2020

Summary: When Daphne is unexpectedly invited to be the maid of honor at her estranged friend’s wedding, she reluctantly accepts. Who’d be able to resist an elaborate Cape Cod wedding and the promise of plenty of single guys? Everything starts out great, including an attractive man, but the bride disappears on the morning of the wedding and Daphne is left unraveling the truth about her old friend.

I haven’t read anything by Jennifer Weiner, but I know she’s a powerhouse author. I can’t resist a good wedding drama, so I think this might be a good place for me to start! | Amazon

 

 

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Genre: YA Fantasy
Publish Date: May 26, 2020

Summary: 16 year old Deka is terrified of the upcoming blood ceremony that determines if she’ll be accepted in her village. When her blood runs gold instead of red, she knows that means horrific consequences. When a woman shows up and offers her a chance at a different life, she warily accepts. Surely anything, even being trained as a warrior, will be better than what faces her. So, she joins an army of girls like her, who are trained to use their special powers to fight against a threat to their empire.

I am so so so excited to see another African fantasy!!! Children of Blood and Bone was fascinating and I think it’s terrific to see even more fantasy novels start to come out that are set on this continent. | Amazon

 

 

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June 2020 New Book Releases

• The Lies That Bind (Women’s Fiction)
• The Vanishing Half (Women’s Fiction)
• The Marriage Game (Contemporary Romance)
• The Glamourist (Fantasy)
• I Was Told It Would Get Easier (Women’s Fiction)
• Bookish and the Beast (Young Adult)
• Friends and Strangers (Women’s Fiction)

 

The Lies That Bind by Emily Giffin
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: June 2, 2020

Summary: A woman falls for a man one night, but is astonished to find he’s missing the next day during the 9/11 attack. She begins to see his face on missing person posters and quickly realizes he’s not who she believed him to be the prior night. Her investigative skills kick in as she starts to help search for the man she loves. But can you love someone who lied?

Emily Giffin wrote one of my all-time favorites, Something Borrowed, so I’m looking forward to her latest. I’m hoping she’ll handle the backdrop of 9/11 appropriately and come up with a stellar, intriguing story. | Amazon

 

 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: June 2, 2020

Summary: Two sisters’ lives end up in completely different directions. One identifies as black and lives her adult life in the Southern community where they grew up. The other passes for white and is married to a man who has no idea about her past. This looks like a fascinating tale that addresses issues of race but also our personal identities and decisions that affect the course of our lives. | Amazon

 

 

The Marriage Game by Sara Desai
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publish Date: June 9, 2020

Summary: When Layla’s father sets up an online dating profile without her knowledge, she finds herself faced with a series of unexpected blind dates. Meanwhile, she finds herself suddenly sharing an office above her father’s restaurant with another businessperson. Neither Sam or Layla are happy with the arrangement, but sometimes angry fire can turn into romantic sparks!

I love love love the concept behind this one. Online dating, unexpected blind dates, sarcastic banter? Sign me up!! | Amazon

 

 

The Glamourist by Luanne G Smith
Genre: Fantasy
Publish Date: June 9, 2020

Summary: The second book in The Vine Witch series. Yvette learned to survive on the streets of Paris after she was abandoned as a child. She longs to untap her powers, but when she’s forced to flee she ends up at Elena’s vineyard in the French countryside. Elena and Yvette work together to discover the mystery of a keepsake Yvette brings with her.

I received an ARC of The Vine Witch last summer and was pleasantly surprised! Also, The Glamourist is available on Kindle Unlimited right now. So, you can read it before everyone else 🙂 You’ll definitely want to give her a shot if you like books about witches! | Amazon

 

 

I Was Told It Would Get Easier by Abbi Waxman
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: June 16, 2020

Summary: A mother-daughter road trip sets the stage for Abbi Waxman’s spring 2020 new book release! Jessica and Emily hit the road together to narrow down Emily’s college choices. Over the course of the tour, they’re squashed on a bus with a dozen strangers (and two familiar enemies).

If you haven’t heard of The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, Waxman’s smash hit of 2019, you probably aren’t on bookstagram 🙂 It was literally everywhere and received stellar reviews, so I imagine Waxman’s latest will also be a hot topic. | Amazon

 

 

Bookish and the Beast by Ashley Poston
Genre: Young Adult
Publish Date: June 16, 2020

Summary: It wouldn’t be an upcoming new book release post without a Beauty and the Beast retelling! This time Ashley Poston tackles the fairy tale. Rosie is a small town girl struggling to recover after her mother’s death. Vance is a Hollywood star who ends up in her town after a scandal. When they inevitably cross paths, the dislike is definitely mutual. That’s not where their story ends though…

I adored one of Ashley Poston’s older novels, Geekerella, so I have a feeling I’ll like this one just as much! She’s a talented writer who puts a fun YA spin on the classic fairy tales. | Amazon

 

 

Friends and Strangers by J Courtney Sullivan
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Publish Date: June 23, 2020

Summary: This one sounds right up my alley, especially at this point in my life. I’m a fairly new mom (my baby’s one year old next week!) so I am intrigued by this story. Elisabeth returns to her small hometown with a new baby after living in NYC for years. The adjustment to motherhood, small-town living, and being on her own is extremely hard.

So, she hires Sam from the local college to help with childcare. When Sam discovers a connection with Elisabeth’s father-in-law, there end up being far reaching consequences. I have no idea where this plot will end up, but I definitely want to find out! | Amazon

 

 

Which of these spring 2020 new book releases are you most excited to read?

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