Welcome to Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025! Today we celebrate the birthday of award-winning author Ann Patchett, whose novels like Bel Canto and The Dutch House have captivated readers worldwide. It’s also the birthday of the late Joseph Conrad, the literary giant behind Heart of Darkness and Lord Jim, whose explorations of morality and human nature still resonate today.
While the past two days brought more than a hundred new releases each, today’s 35 arrivals still offer plenty to explore, including a gripping mystery by Nicole Helm, a sparkling romantic comedy by Bella Rivers, and a cozy Amish mystery from Samantha Price. Let’s take a closer look at what’s new and discover the stories waiting to be explored.
Long Lost Winter by Nicole Helm (Western Edge Mystery Series)
Long Lost Winter is the third installment in national bestselling author Nicole Helm’s “Western Edge Mystery” series. Early reviewers praise this mystery–suspense novel for its well‑rounded storytelling and strong, engaging characters. While starting from the beginning of the series offers added depth, each book can be enjoyed on its own.
Samantha Price expects a quiet winter in Marietta, but a John Doe who looks like Nate Bennet pulls her into a case with no records, no past, and too many questions. As they dig into the Bennet family’s buried secrets, a storm cuts them off from help, and Sam and Nate must uncover the truth before someone silences them for good.
How to Fake a Husband by Bella Rivers (Emerald Creek Series)
If you enjoy rom‑coms featuring a fake marriage, forced proximity, secret pining, found family, puppies, meddling ghosts, and a satisfying slow burn without a breakup, Bella Rivers‘ How to Fake a Husband is for you. The fifth book in the steamy small‑town “Emerald Creek” series, it offers plenty of charm and heat while still working perfectly as a standalone.
When Noah Callaway asks Willow to enter a fake marriage to save his family estate – and their small town – she agrees, even though she’s loved him for years. As they play the perfect couple, Willow gives the role everything she has, even knowing that pretending to be his wife may break her heart for real.
The Gingerbread Christmas Crisis by Samantha Price (Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries Series)
The Gingerbread Christmas Crisis is the 32nd book in Samantha Price‘s long‑running “Ettie Smith Amish Mysteries” series. Like most cozy mysteries, it can be enjoyed without reading the earlier installments, though longtime fans will appreciate the continuity. This holiday‑themed tale blends charm and chaos as sisters find themselves in over their heads – especially when baked goods are involved – making it a warm and whimsical addition to the series.
Ettie and Elsa-May are asked to watch over the gingerbread display at an Amish Christmas fundraiser, but a toppled house and a sudden gunshot turn the cozy event into a crime scene. With rumors flying and a sponsor wounded, the sisters dig for answers in their own stubborn, good-hearted way – much to the local detective’s frustration.
Here is a list of all of the new books releasing today:
New Book Releases for December 3rd, 2025
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Based near Toronto, Brandon is a news writer and Book Specialist for Book Notification who covers the world of books, maintains author pages, writes a variety of content, and is an avid reader of non-fiction and biographies.