It’s Wednesday, January 7th, 2026, and we celebrate the birthdays of folklorist/novelist Zora Neal Hurston, The Exorcist author William Peter Blatty, and novelist Nicholson Baker. If you’ve been putting off reading any of these authors’ works, today’s a great excuse to start reading.
There are more than 30 new books hitting shelves today. We’re featuring a small-town workplace romance by Kendall Ryan, a fantasy romance by Ava York, and a domestic drama by Lisa Timoney. Let’s get to it!
Main Character Energy by Kendall Ryan
New York Times bestselling author Kendall Ryan returns with a standalone small‑town workplace romance, Main Character Energy. Expect quirky slow‑burn chemistry, a grumpy/sunshine dynamic, sharp banter, a touch of enemies‑to‑lovers tension, and the irresistible pairing of a Golden Retriever Hero with a Black Cat Heroine.
Andi Callahan likes her life quiet and predictable, working nights at the morgue where the dead make the best company. When persistent firefighter Cole Hartley refuses to leave her alone, a simple bet turns into an unexpected connection that challenges everything Andi thought she wanted.
Bought by the Raven King by Ava York (Monster’s Bride Market Series)
The “Monster’s Bride Market” is a multi-author dark gothic fantasy romance series set in the “Arranged Monster Mates” universe. One of Ava York’s contributions is Bought by the Raven King, a standalone tale built around the series’ signature theme of monsters choosing — and claiming — their brides. If you’re a fan of Hades x Persephone by Scarlett St. Clair or Katee Robert’s Dark Olympus series, Bought by the Raven King is likely to scratch that same deliciously dark, myth‑tinged itch.
Olwen, a bride who is faking being alive, chooses the feared Raven King at the Bride Market, drawn to a cold that feels safer than life itself. As Cador senses the truth she’s hiding, their quiet bond grows into something that may offer rest, or ruin, for them both.
The Lies Our Children Tell by Lisa Timoney
If you’re a reader of Jodi Picoult or Emma Robinson, Lisa Timoney’s latest domestic drama is poised to hit you right in the heart. The Lies Our Children Tell follows two mothers desperate to protect their children, even as they’re pulled into an impossible dilemma with no easy answers. It’s a powerful, emotionally charged story about love, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of the choices we make for family.
After her marriage falls apart, Nicky escapes to a Greek island with her oldest friend, hoping for comfort and calm. But when her daughter makes a shocking accusation against Sabine’s son, the holiday unravels and forces both women to question the friendship they thought could survive anything.
Here is a list of all of the new books releasing today:
New Book Releases for January 7th, 2026
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.