The holidays are almost here, and December is the perfect month to curl up with a good book (or wrap one up as a gift). This month brings a brand-new Red, White & Royal Blue novella from Casey McQuiston, a bittersweet love story from Jennifer E. Smith, a fresh series from Meg Cabot, plus chilling thrillers, cozy rom-coms and sweeping historical sagas.
Here are 10 new books to add to your reading list in December 2026.
1. Red, White & Royal Blue: The Private Correspondence by Casey McQuiston
Romance | Dec. 1
Alex and Henry are back. This novella picks up their love story through letters, postcards and journal entries spanning about 20 years after their relationship went public, and after that infamous email leak, the couple swore off email for good. It is a sweet, swoony return for anyone who fell for the 2019 bestseller or the Prime Video movie.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
2. Rabbit Rabbit by Jennifer E. Smith
Fiction | Dec. 15
Billie is 39, single and ready to have a baby on her own. Then she meets Arthur, who is wonderful in almost every way except one: he does not want children. The author of The Unsinkable Greta James follows Billie through a year of fertility clinics and romantic getaways as she decides what she is willing to give up.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
3. Kissing Cowboys by Meg Cabot
YA Romance | Dec. 22
The Princess Diaries author kicks off a brand-new series. City girl Winn trades New York for a Montana dude ranch where her mother works with troubled teen boys, leaving Winn as the only girl on a ranch full of cute cowboys. Expect plenty of Cabot’s signature humor and heart.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
4. The Heart Note by Vanessa McCausland
Historical Fiction | Dec. 1
Told across three timelines stretching from 2022 back to 1532, this novel links a mother living with dementia and her daughter to a centuries-old perfume story in Grasse, France, where a young glovemaker creates a scent that changes history. A lush, sensory read for fans of family secrets.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
5. The Chaperones by Amy Meyerson
Thriller | Dec. 8
A third-grade camping trip to a remote California island turns into a nightmare when a storm strands the group. Two children vanish, a body turns up, and the parent chaperones slowly realize they are not alone on the island. Keep the lights on for this one.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
6. Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin
Romance | Dec. 8
Libi, who has OCD, needs a buffer for a family trip to Mexico, so she brings along Nate, a friend from her support group. Their fake-dating plan seems simple until the lines start to blur. A warm, funny rom-com with real heart about mental health, and one of the most anticipated romances of the month.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
7. Villain Edit by Rosie Danan
Fantasy Romance | Dec. 8
Gabriel, a vampire, has to spend ten years among humans proving he is not dangerous. Harper, freshly fired from a reality TV show, has a wild idea: cast him as the first vampire contestant on a dating show. Reality TV meets fangs in this cheeky, steamy romp.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
8. Lina & June by Genevieve Wheeler
Fiction | Dec. 8
From the author of Adelaide comes a story about female friendship. One spontaneous night in New York brings two women together, and when life starts pulling them in different directions, they have to decide whether their bond is worth fighting for.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
9. Just in Time by Emily Wibberley and Austin Siegemund-Broka
Romance | Dec. 8
Gwen can undo any mistake by traveling back in time, and Ian uses the same gift to keep his family safe. When the two meet, their carefully perfected pasts start to threaten their future together. A clever time-travel romance from the husband-and-wife duo behind Do I Know You?
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
10. The Three Daughters of Annam by Phong Nguyen
Historical Fiction | Dec. 8
Inspired by the author’s own family, this sweeping saga spans 90 years and three continents. It follows three women whose friendship survives war, hardship and the journey from Vietnam to the United States. A moving pick for book clubs.
Where to buy: Amazon | Bookshop.org | Barnes & Noble
Which One Will You Read First?
Whether you want a cozy holiday romance, a twisty thriller or a moving family saga, December has a book for every kind of reader. Missed last month’s picks? Catch up with our list of 10 new books to read in November 2026. Tell us which book is topping your list!
