Adult Fiction

Eze, Tochi

2025

"Benjamin Fletcher was good at surviving. He'd survived cancer at forty-seven, a motor bike accident at fifty-nine, a heart attack at sixty-one. Now, at sixty-seven, it seemed like the only demand life threw at him was to survive the consequences of the past. When Benjamin lands in 1960s Nigeria, hoping to explore his roots after the death of his half-Nigerian father, he falls in love with Margaret. As the two learn more about their respective histories, they realize their lineage is interwoven in the deepest of ways-their ancestors had met decades earlier, with tragic results. Unfolding over three distinct timelines spanning a century, This Kind of Trouble reveals the unsettling events that took place in a small Nigerian village in 1905 - the same events that will eventually tear Margaret and Benjamin apart 60 years later. When we meet them again in 2005, they have been estranged for decades, content to leave the heartbreaks of the past behind them. But when their grandson begins to show signs of what Margaret believes is the mental instability that has troubled her family for generations as a kind of curse, she decides the family must come together and confront the generational traumas that have shaped her and Benjamin both, and to reckon with transgressions both intimate and ancestral. Beautifully written, transporting, narratively ambitious, and featuring an unusual forbidden love story, This Kind of Trouble asks us to consider the ways we are all beholden to the past, and what we owe the future. With this debut novel, Tochi Eze announces herself as a major new literary voice in world literature"-- Provided by publisher.

Eden, Lucy

2025

"Former childhood friends Jasmine Morgan, a PR expert, and Derek Carter, a meticulous corporate executive, have a renowned rivalry. Yet they've never revealed to anyone what turned their relationship sour. So when they're thrown together on a revitalization project in the quaint town of Miller's Cove, Florida, they plan to keep their distance and keep communication at a minimum. Only when they roll with the little white lie of being on their honeymoon to get into an exclusive town event, they're soon forced to keep pretending when they find out how fast news travels in a small town. Living in close quarters, navigating their rocky past, and working together day and night begins to crumble their prickly professional facades, revealing buried chemistry between them. They soon stumble across a hidden horticultural oasis planted by a pioneering Black inventor and must formulate a plan to protect the town from the corporate greed they didn't realize they played roles in. As they navigate obstacles and uncover hidden treasures, they rediscover old feelings and realize love might be the most valuable discovery of all"-- Provided by publisher.

Emezi, Akwaeke

2025

Cook, Jeannine A.

2025

"A bewitching novel within a novel--a blend of romance and magical realism, part The Lost Bookshop, part A Love Song for Ricki Wilde--a magical world in which a bookseller becomes a reluctant matchmaker, bringing soulmates together through books"-- Provided by publisher.

Cooper, Sharon C.

2025

"Lynix Mathews knows Dorian Priestly is the woman for him, but she won't give him a chance to prove it. His man whore reputation doesn't help. Even his millionaire father is demanding he settle down-bypushing Lynix toward an arranged marriage. But that can never happen. Not when Lynix's heart only beats for Dorian. He'll have her or no one. Dorian hasn't had the best of luck with men, and her mother's matchmaking schemes make everything worse ly thing left to do? Fake a relationship with Lynix-her brother's best friend. It's a win-win for both of them until she falls in love with him. Lynix is a known player, and Dorian is stressed with indecision. Should she break things off with the man who's captured her heart? Or will choosing what she wants-him-leave her shattered in a thousand pieces?"-- Provided by publisher.

Day, Zuri.

2025

"For Jamilah Carver, a by-the-books entrepreneur with refined tastes, running her own restaurant has been a dream come true. Until she's buried in debt and without a chef, her once-bustling eatery is on the brink of collapse. Enter Rashad White, a newly released ex-con who happens to be a culinary genius ... and likes to play by his own rules. With nothing in common but their love for food, the two clash at every turn. But when they're not bickering over menu items or cooking methods, neither can deny the attraction that simmers between them. After Rashad proposes a daring plan, they'll have to put their differences aside to work together--that's when things really start heating up in the kitchen." -Amazon.

Cage, Jessica

2025

The third book in the hilarious and dangerously sexy Accidents Happen series, this fast-paced fantasy romance throws no-nonsense security boss Jericha Brown into a whirlwind of sabotage, forbidden attraction, and dimension-jumping mayhem when she's forced to partner with a smugly irresistible Shadow Walker--and discovers that saving her company might mean losing her heart.Security breaches? Check. Dimensional chaos? Naturally. Forbidden attraction? Oh, absolutely!Jericha Brown is used to being the boss. AS the fierce, no-nonsense head of her own security firm, she's just landed the contract of a lifetime--until her lead agent walks out, taking half of the team with him. What a jerk!With her reputation and business on the line, Jericha does the unthinkable: reaches out to a former frenemy for help.But to Jericha's surprise, little miss Steal a Dream sold her business--and her contacts--to an infuriatingly smug (and dangerously hot) newcomer named Raymond Statton. Desperate, Jericha hires him as a temporary sub-contractor, only to uncover a secret that flips her world upside down: Raymond is a Shadow Walker, a rare and powerful being who can slip between dimensions.It's shocking, sure...but Jericha's got her own magical skeletons in the closet, and when their secrets (and maybe a few clothing items) start flying, things get messy fast. Like, flaming-sword-in-the-office and surprise-demons-on-the-rooftop kind of way.Witty, wild, and a little bit wicked--this is what happens when enemies-to-lovers meets magical workplace comedy and nobody reads the HR manual.

Cole, Kamilah

2025

"Warren University has stood amongst the ivy elite for centuries, built on the bones-and forbidden magic-of its most prized BIPOC students hiding the rot of a secret society that will do anything to keep their own powers burning bright, no matter who they must sacrifice along the way. Ellory Morgan is determined to prove that she belongs at Warren University, an ivy league school whose history is deeply linked to occult rumors and dark secrets. But as she settles into her Freshman year, something about the ornate buildings and shadowy paths feels strangely familiar. And, with every passing day, that sense of Daija vu grows increasingly sinister. Despite all logic, despite all reason, despite all the rules of reality, Ellory knows one thing to be true: she has been here before. And if she can't convince brooding legacy student Hudson Graves to help her remember a past that seems determined to slip through her fingers as if by some insidious magic this time, she may lose herself for good"-- Provided by publisher.

Bryce, Denny S

2026

Burns, V. M., 1964-

2026

"When Michigan bookshop owner and mystery writer Samantha Washington and her sister, Jenna, agreed to host a class for seniors on estate planning, they didn't plan on discovering shady doings at Shady Acres Retirement Village . . . Nana Jo has volunteered her lawyer granddaughter, Jenna, to teach estate planning to retirees--with Sam providing her bookshop as the venue. But during the seminar, entitled Getting Your Ducks in Order, it quickly becomes clear someone's up to Fowl Play. When elderly Alva Tarkington, accompanied by her niece, sits down for a consultation, Sam realizes the woman's frequent blinking is actually Morse Code--S.O.S. The sisters get her alone, and Alva tells them she believes her life is in danger and must change her will . . . Unfortunately, Alva is found dead the next day--seemingly from natural causes. But Nana Jo and the sisters suspect otherwise. In between penning her latest historical mystery, set in 1939 as England declares war on Germany and Lady Elizabeth Marsh pursues stolen paintings and a traitor, Sam teams up with the senior sleuths of Shady Acres to search for motives--beginning with Alva's family. They soon learn not everyone is who they say they are, and someone is more than qualified to teach a class on cold-blooded murder . . ." -- Page [4] of cover.

Bryant, Elise

2025

A clever and hilarious new mystery about a mother who thinks she has to do it all—even solve a murder—from the author of It's ElementaryAfter rage quitting her job, Mavis finally has time to get all the rest she’s been putting off. Or she should have the time. Hypothetically. Except she’s taken on a new role: Supermom. Her hours are filled with chauffeuring her daughter, Pearl, around to her extracurricular activities, somehow ending up class mom, and…investigating another mystery?When Coach Cole, the director of the kids’ soccer program, drops dead on a sunny Saturday morning, no one suspects foul play. However, the police soon discover something suspicious left on the field, making it clear that someone had it in for the coach. But who? Sure, parents got mad when he made their precious star athletes sit on the bench, but not that mad.Mavis is determined to find out, even if it takes her into the dark, dangerous underbelly of gentle parents and MLM girlbosses. Plus, it’s an easy distraction from everything else going on. Like the panic attacks she keeps brushing off. Or the fact that she’s unemployed and totally lost as to what her purpose and path in life should be. And then there’s her ex-husband who’s back in town and doing everything she’s ever wanted, just as she’s beginning a new relationship. Mavis knows a murder investigation probably isn’t the self-care she needs right now. But how exactly are you supposed to take care of yourself when you don’t even know who you are anymore?

Barry, Quan http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2001155423

2025

"From the award-winning poet, playwright, and author of We Ride Upon Sticks and When I'm Gone, Look for Me in the East, a genre-bending novel of literary horror set in Antarctica that explores abandonment, guilt, and survival in the shadow of America's racial legacy. Striker isn't entirely sure she should be on this luxury Antarctic cruise. A Black film scout, her mission is to photograph potential locations for a big-budget movie about Ernest Shackleton's doomed expedition. Along the way, she finds private if cautious amusement in the behavior of both the native wildlife and the group of wealthy, mostly white tourists who have chosen to spend Christmas on the Weddell Sea. But when a kayaking excursion goes horribly wrong, Striker and a group of survivorsbecome stranded on a remote island along the Antarctic Peninsula, a desolate setting complete with boiling geothermal vents and vicious birds. Soon the hostile environment will show each survivor their true face, and as the polar ice thaws in the unseasonable warmth, the group's secrets, prejudices, and inner demons will also emerge, including revelations from Striker's past that could irrevocably shatter her world. With her signature lyricism and humor, Quan Barry offers neither comfort nor closure as she questions the limits of the human bonds that connect us to one another, affirming there are no such things as haunted places, only haunted people. Gripping, lucid, and imaginative, The Unveiling is an astonishing ghost story about the masks we wear andthe truths we hide even from ourselves"-- Provided by publisher.

Barnett, Amy DuBois

2026

"A fast-paced, juicy debut novel that peeks behind the curtain at the cutthroat world of hip-hop music and the glamorous magazine scene in the late 1990s, written by the ultimate insider. It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor-in-chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that "Black girls don't sell magazines," she walks away to take over Sugar, a struggling hip-hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential. Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence, and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar-and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with the era's most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. Along the way, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends, and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what-and who-she truly wants. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her very married, very powerful ex-boyfriend and former boss, who's determined to destroy both her and Sugar. If I Ruled the World is a smart, utterly immersive romp through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history-a story of ambition, friendship, love, and the journey to finding your own voice."-- Provided by publisher.

Black, Regina

2025

"Author's note. This book contains discussions of domestic abuse, addiction, mental illness, a past (off-page) sexual assault, reproductive rights, grief, and dementia."

Bado, Chinaza

2025

"After witnessing the massacre of everyone he's ever known and loved, M'Kuru Mukundi, the sole surviving member of the High Noble House Mukundi of Madada, vows revenge. M'kuru flees to a small village where he hides under the guise of farm boy Khalil Rausi... unaware that the real Khalil's father is the bloodthirsty General of Zenzele army, and under the direction of the King's scheming son, Prince Effiom, was responsible for the murder of M'kuru's people. When an imposter claiming to be M'kuru shows up in the village, the real M'kuru -- now Khalil -- must bide his time amongst his enemies, pretending to be everything that he hates in order to get vengeance. In another part of the country where giants roam free, young Zikora Nnamani, the only daughter of Lord Nnamani, knows nothing of political intrigue -- she wants little more than to be a fierce Seh Llinga warrior. But a well-known prophecy places too much potential power on her small shoulders, and -- as far as Prince Effiom and the King know -- she is the only living threat to their dynasty ruling forever. However, when a messenger arrives to "invite" Zikora to stay at the palace, her family is not in a position to refuse. Before she is taken away, she begins The Rite of Blessing, a magical inheritance that she will need to learn how to use, but that may also bring the world one step closer to the completion of the prophecy that Prince Effiom so fears. Between scheming ladies at court, backstabbing princes on the prowl, and paranoid kings, M'kuru and Zikora must do what they can, no matter how terrible, to save their people and claim vengeance for their families. But they are just two young people against an entire kingdom -- and a prophecy destined to thwart their dreams -- and the last thing they can do is trust anyone...even each other"-- Provided by publisher.

Alers, Rochelle

2026

"Kenny, Frankie, Ray. For these best friends, life on the Upper West Side during the upheaval of the 1960s showed undreamed-of possibilities--and temptations. Moved by visionaries like Martin Luther King, Jr., and Malcom X, Kenny risks the draft as he plunges into civil rights activism. With surprising business savvy, Frankie expands his grandfather's Harlem underworld empire to feed the growing demand for drugs--and his hunger to be the city's biggest kingpin. Ray dreams of being a doctor, but his near-addictive desires lead him to a near-fatal confrontation . . . and a different sort of healing. As the 1970s unwind, Kenny dedicates himself to revenge as well as social work--forming a dangerous alliance that puts him at an inescapable crossroads. Used to sexual playgrounds like Studio 54, Frankie falls for the one woman he shouldn't want. And Ray embarks on a dangerous double life that throws him into conflict with his deepest convictions. With its relentless materialism, the 1980s take these friends from a scandal-ridden mayoral campaign to wrenching urban change that will alter their old neighborhood forever. Kenny, Frankie, and Ray must decide how far they will pursue dreams that can guarantee success--or disaster. And each must come to terms with the kind of man he wants to be--no matter the consequences ..."-back cover

Lee, Malcolm D., 1970-

2025

"The beloved characters from the Best Man movies and hit television series reunite for a sexy and solful, heartbreaking and hilarious, reckoning of love." -- Back cover.

Allen, Danielle http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/no2024063604

2025

"Julie Murphy's If the Shoe Fits meets Talia Hibbert's Take a Hint, Dani Brown-USA Today bestselling author Danielle Allen brings another steamy, witty novel about finding the perfect partner-and how sometimes what you're looking for is right in front of you. "I only spend time with people I enjoy. I only do things I want to do. I only have sex with people who get me off. So, my time is never wasted and my energy stays high." Nina Ford doesn't like to put all her eggs in one basket. She works multiple jobs, she enjoys multiple hobbies, she dates multiple men. In her thirty years of life, Nina has never come across a man who has all the things she's looking for. She loves fun and excitement-and she has a man for that. She loves confidence and humor-and she has a man for that. She loves intelligence and ambition-and she has a man for that. She loves passion and romance-and she has a man for that. She's always been content rotating a few men in and out of her life to get her needs met. But when Russell Long, her designated "Fun Guy", shows her that he's good for more than just thrills, it seems too good to be true. Nina finds herself in a predicament. She's found everything she's ever wanted in a career in one job. She's found everything she's ever wanted in a partner in one man. Inevitably, her eggs are bound to get cracked. Like her back"-- Provided by publisher.

Akinmade-Akerström, Lola

2025

"1978. A scholarship draws Nancy from Gambia's warmth into Stockholm's frigid winter. When her friendship with charismatic scholar Lars blossoms into something more, she thinks she may have finally found her place. But there's more to Lars than his charming persona, and Nancy is about to discover the danger of being drawn into his world. 2006. Tina has had her taste of fame as Sweden's sweetheart pop princess, representing her country at Eurovision. But beneath her glittery faðcade, she's uncertain who she really is. Her mother Nancy seems desperate to keep the past under wraps, but will the unexpected appearance of Tina's father--a man she has long thought dead--helpopen the door to self-discovery?"-- Provided by publisher.

Abrams, Stacey

2025

"Avery Keene is back! The fan-favorite former Supreme Court clerk has finally gone out on her own, securing a prestigious position at a high-end law firm in Washington, D.C., where she is about to earn real money and get her life in order after a tumultuous run working as a clerk on the Supreme Court. With her reputation preceding her, Avery is quickly tasked at her new job with becoming a corporate internal investigator. Her new client is Camasca--a mega-tech firm that's on the forefront of developing a new integrated AI system poised to revolutionize the medical industry, particularly by delivering vastly improved health care to veterans. The AI potential is breathtaking, but some disturbing anomalies have plagued Camasca in early testing--including the mysterious death of a Camasca engineer. Avery and her colleagues, Jared, Ling, and Noah, find themselves on a journey to determine whether the anomalies are mere technical glitches, or something much more concerning. Full of twists, behind-the-scenes financial machinations, and the continued blossoming of Avery and her vibrant cast of friends, Coded Justice finds Stacey Abrams' riveting series to be in full swing"-- Provided by publisher.

Mosley, Walter

2025

In this thrilling mystery from "master of craft and narrative" Walter Mosley (National Book Foundation), Detective Easy Rawlins has settled into the happy rhythm of his new life when a dark siren from his past returns and threatens to destroy the peace he's fought for. The name Easy Rawlins stirs excitement in the hearts of readers and fear in the hearts of his foes. His success has bought him a thriving detective agency, with its first female detective; a remote home, shared with children and pets and lovers, high atop the hills overlooking gritty Los Angeles; and more trouble, more problems, and more threat to those whom he loves. In other words, he's still beset on all sides. A number of below-the-law powerbrokers plead with Easy to locate a mysterious, dangerous woman--Lutisha James, though she's gone by another name that Easy will immediately recognize. 1970s Los Angeles is a transient city of delicate, violent balances, and Lutisha has disturbed that. She also has a secret that will upend Easy's own life, painfully closer to home.

Stone, Nic

2025

"When Damaris "Charm" Wilburn, a new daytime dancer, is missing for her shift at Boom Town, former headliner Mihah "Lyriq" Johanssen suspects something more than a "no call, no show." As Lyriq's former headline partner and lover--Felice "Lucky" Carothers--also vanished under similar circumstances, Lyriq decides she's going to find them. Delving deeper into Charm and Lucky's disappearances, Lyriq uncovers a tangled web of deceit, privilege, and power. The line between friend and foe blurs, forcing Lyriq to confront the question: Is finding for these women worth the threat to her own life? This tantalizing thriller will take you on a heart-pounding and page turning journey through the peaks and valleys of Atlanta's underworld." -- Provided by publisher

Howard, Jacinta.

2025

It was just a birthday. Then everything in her asked, what if. Simone Harris has always known how to hold it down. For her son. For her clients. For the sports agency she built from scratch. She keeps things running, keeps herself moving, and keeps her heart tucked safely out of reach. But this birthday feels different. It falls on a leap year, a date that only circles back every so often. A rare kind of day that feels like it arrives exactly when it's meant to. The kind that makes you pause and ask what you have been pushing through just to keep going. In that stillness, something begins to surface alongside it. Fatigue. Questions. The quiet ache she has learned to ignore. She is not falling apart. Still, something is shifting. The pressure she has lived under feels heavier than it once did. And as she begins to listen to what her spirit has been trying to say, the past reappears, bringing with it a familiar comfort, unfinished conversations, and a quiet invitation to feel again.

Smith, Patricia, 1955-

2025

"The Intentions of Thunder gathers, for the first time, the essential work from across Patricia Smith's decorated career. Here, Smith's poems, affixed with her remarkable gift of insight, present a rapturous ode to life. With careful yet vaulting movement, these poems traverse the redeeming landscape of pain, confront the frightening revelations of history, and disclose the joyous possibilities of the future. The result is a profound testament to the necessity of poetry--all the careful witness, embodied experience, and bristling pleasure that it bestows--and of Smith's necessary voice." -- Provided by publisher.

Jones, Tayari

2026

Flournoy, Angela

2025

"Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique, and Nakia are in their early twenties and at the beginning. Of their careers, of marriage, of motherhood, and of big-city lives in New York and Los Angeles. Together, they are finding their way through the wilderness,that period of life when the reality of contemporary adulthood-overwhelming, mysterious, and full of freedom and consequences-swoops in and stays. Desiree and Danielle, sisters whose shared history has done little to prevent their estrangement, nurse bitter family wounds in different ways. January's got a relationship with a "good" man she feels ambivalent about, even after her surprise pregnancy. Monique, a librarian and aspiring blogger, finds unexpected online fame after calling out the university where she works for its plans to whitewash fraught history. And Nakia is trying to get her restaurant off the ground, without relying on the largesse of her upper middle-class family who wonder aloud if she should be doing something better with her life. Asthese friends move from the late 2000's into the late 2020's, from young adults to grown women, they must figure out what they mean to one another-amid political upheaval, economic and environmental instability, and the increasing volatility of modern American life. The Wilderness is Angela Flournoy's masterful and kaleidoscopic follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut The Turner House. A generational talent, she captures with disarming wit and electric language how the most profound connections over alifetime can lie in the tangled, uncertain thicket of friendship"-- Provided by publisher.

Phillip, Abby

2025

"From CNN's Abby Phillip, a triumphant new look at Jesse Jackson's presidential campaigns of the 1980s and how they changed Black political power."--Publisher.

Jenkins, Beverly, 1951-

2025

"Tamar July, town matriarch of Henry Adams, KS, is being haunted by dreams of her humiliating wedding day, sixty years ago, when she discovered her intended, Joel Newton, was already married. The truthleft her furious, heartbroken, and carrying a child, her son Malachi "Mal" July. Why are these dreams coming to her now? And is the great horned owl perched on her backyard shed somehow connected? When Joel's legitimate son comes to Henry Adams wanting to meet his half-brother, Mal, Tamar must deal with her past, her anger, and explore what it means to truly forgive. Tamar isn't the only one being tested. Teenager Devon July wants to be anyone but himself. When he first arrived in Henry Adams, as an eight-year-old foster child, he wantedto be a preacher. Then, to be like his adopted brother, Amari. Now, he's decided to be a variant of James Brown--wig included--rather than who he really is, a boy who lost his beloved grandmother and isthe son of a mentally challenged woman. Will Tamar be able to guidehis spirit quest and place him on the road to finally being at peace within himself? As the big August 1st celebration nears, town owner Bernadine Brown has a lot on her plate, chief among them, what to do with former mayor Riley Curry's monstrous tribute to his hog Cletus. There are no secrets in Henry Adams, but there's never a dull moment either."--Provided by publisher.

Cane, Clay

2026

"As turmoil simmers within a divided nation, smoke from another blaze begins to rise. Sparked by individual acts of resistance among those enslaved across the American South, their seemingly disparate rebellions fuel a singular inferno of justice, connecting them in ways quiet at times, explosive at others. As these flames rise, so will they"-- Provided by publisher.

Obama, Michelle, 1964-

2025

The Look is Michelle Obama's inspiring reflection on how fashion has shaped her public and personal journey. Featuring over 200 beautiful photos, she shares the stories behind her most memorable outfits -- from the campaign trail to the White House and beyond -- along with insights from her trusted stylists and designers. More than a celebration of style, the book explores how clothing can express confidence, purpose, and authenticity.

Wesley, Valerie Wilson

2026

Set in 1926, this novel follows Harriet Stone, an educated African American woman, and Lovey, a twelve-year-old girl in her care, as they relocate from Connecticut to Harlem. Invited to live in a boardinghouse run by Harriet's cousin, the move initially promises stability but quickly gives way to uncertainty after a death occurs within the household. As Harriet becomes involved in uncovering the circumstances surrounding the incident, she forms connections with other residents while confronting questions of identity, trust, and personal safety. The story combines historical setting with elements of mystery and suspense.

Wright, Elle

2026

"Wesley Batchelor is desperate for an image reboot-- stat. A mysterious social media influencer keeps revealing his many reckless romantic liaisons, putting everything Wesley has worked so hard for at stake. Worse, he's in deep trouble with his grandmother and Batchelor Enterprises boss, Joyce, his one and only true cheerleader. So he's stunned and relieved when his gorgeous ex, private detective Albany Keyes, is recruited to track down the leaker...All Wes has to do is keep a cool-headed professional distance. Easy, right? Until the incendiary passion between him and Albany suddenly reignites. And he realizes he wants more from her--just like always"-- Provided by publisher.

Williams, Frances Mensah

2025

"Fixing everyone's love life - except her own. Trainee relationship counsellor Delilah Braithwaite is better at breaking couples up than bringing them together. But after one break-up too many, she's suspended and ordered to get to grips with her own baggage if she hopes to get her job back. Desperate to prove she's not the problem, Delilah accepts a challenge from her sister: track down five exes and make amends for dumping them all with no good reason. But when she runs into Noah - the fiance she left at the altar - her plans take a complicated turn. While Delilah seeks redemption, her own therapy sessions begin to unearth hidden secrets and painful truths she's long avoided. But only when she's forced to confront the trauma of her past does she begin to understand that love means a whole lot more than just saying sorry."--Provided by publisher.

Williams, Denise, 1982-

2026

"What would you do with a second chance at your first time? Following a bad breakup, Willow Lewis tackles a re-do list with the help of her brother's best friend in this sweet and sexy new romance from USA Today bestselling author Denise Williams. Willow experienced all her big firsts with her high school sweetheart. Now, reeling from their very public breakup, she wants to get a re-do on those important moments. While dog-sitting for her brother during his deployment, she has a chance to start over and spending time with his best friend gives her the confidence to start checking items off her "Re-Do list." Deacon promised his best friend two things when Cruz left for a deployment: that he'd look out for Willow, and that he'd keep his hands off Cruz's baby sister. "Operation Re-Do" is innocent enough at first: Deacon likes Willow and he's willing to help her out any way he can. But when the list of firsts turns from a first dance to first kisses and more, Deacon can't deny the connection he feels to Willow. As Deacon's and Willow's firsts turn to seconds, thirds, and fourths, this pair can't get enough of each other-and they support each other through new challenges. But they are both aware there's an end date to Willow's time in town... and even if she were to stay, Deacon doesn't know how to choose between his loyalty to his closest friend and the woman he's fallen in love with. With no more romantic moments on her list for them to re-do, can these two still find a way to stay together?"-- Provided by publisher.

Washington, Bryan, 1993- http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2018020990

2025

"The story of a mother and a son, estranged for ten years, reconnecting in the son's chosen city of Tokyo in the weeks leading up to Christmas"-- Provided by publisher.

Townsend, Jacinda

2025

"Early in life, Ruth survived a series of devastating events: Her little brother died from a childhood illness, her mother died of grief, and then her father was shot by the police right in front of their home. In the years following her father's murder, Ruth pushes her past underground. She changes her name and moves to Kentucky, marries a man named Myron, and together they raise a kid. It's been two decades, and she is, by outside measures, living a good life-but why doesn't it feel good? When her marriage comes to a sudden end, their house burns down in the middle of the night, and she learns that her estranged sister has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Ruth is jolted back into action. She flees again, this time back to her home state of California, with her nonbinary teenager in tow, perhaps ready at last to face her pain and retrieve her former self. Searing, surprisingly witty, and deeply human, Trigger Warning is a novel about the durational aftermath of anti-Black police violence. Through the perspectives of Ruth and Myron, and those of their friends and their child, Townsend explores divorce and desire, the heartbreaking brevity of parenting, the push and pull of old friendships, and the possibility, after incredible trauma, of reconnecting to what makes us feel alive"-- Provided by publisher.

Taylor, Brandon (Brandon L. G.)

2025

"New York simmers with heat and unrest as Wyeth, a painter, finds himself at an impasse in his own work. After attending a dubious show put on by a collective of careerist artists, he retreats to a bar in the West Village where he meets Keating, a former seminarian. Over the long summer, as the two get to know each another, they talk and argue about God, sex, and art. Meanwhile, at his job working for an art restorer, Wyeth begins to investigate the life and career of a forgotten, minor black artist. His search yields potential answers to questions that Wyeth is only now beginning to ask about what it means to be a black artist making black art amid the mess and beauty of life itself"-- Provided by publisher.

Tate, ReShonda

2026

"From The Queen of Sugar Hill author ReShonda Tate--a new novel inspired by beloved Harlem jazz performer Hazel Scott and the equal parts exhilarating and tumultuous relationship that changed the course of her life"-- Provided by publisher.

Swinson, Kiki

2025

"She was once the best luxury car thief in the game, but Ava Frost paid a high price when her children were stolen. Forced to confront her ruthless ex-boss Nick, she uncovered his devious silent partner in the kidnapping: her seemingly loving, seemingly wealthy husband Kevin. Now Ava is making a new life with her children several states away from her former suburban life. She's also struggling to help her young son heal from their traumatic ordeal. So when her soon-to-be ex-husband pressures her to return his part of the ransom, Ava pushes back hard. Along with a secret life insurance policy Kevin tookout on her, Ava soon realizes she's worth way more to him dead than alive. And when she learns he's set Nick's vengeful sister and her murderous gangster husband on her trail, she must go up against an overwhelming enemy who will never stop hunting her--or her kids"-- Provided by publisher.

Stetz-Waters, Karelia

2025

"Foodie influencer Kia Jackson is a few sheets of paperwork away from purchasing a plot of urban forest where she'll build her food truck utopia--Taste the Love Land. Kia has dreamt of creating a home for minority-owned food trucks and restaurateurs who have been run out of their brick-and-mortar businesses by gentrification. Just as she is about to secure the deal, corporate fast-food giant Mega Eats sweeps in and outbids her. The only way to stop the conglomerate? Call on a law that says any resident with ancestral history in the neighborhood has first rights to buy the property. Kia can take advantage of the clause...if she can find a legacy family member to marry immediately. The only legacy resident available turns out to be Alice Sullivan, Kia's culinary arts school rival and longtime muse. Sullivan is an eco-chef who loathes the idea of cutting down the green space to make room for a parking-lot full of food trucks--but she hates Mega Eats even more. Begrudgingly, Sullivan agrees to an on-paper marriage to Kia. But as the work to keep up the appearance of a real marriage brings back the delicious chemistry Kia and Sullivan have always had--in and out of the kitchen--the line between fake and real love starts to blur and they must figure out the perfect recipe for happily ever after"--Provided by publisher.

Simone, Naima

2025

"Welcome to the dark world of The Hunted Kingdom where the daughters of modern-day mob families are reimagined fairy tale princesses like you've never seen before. In Huntsman, family is power... and power is everything. Nine years ago, my aunt took everything from me. My world. My throne. My mother. I've bided my time since then, serving under her in the Mwuaji crime family, but she's crossed another line. She put a price on my head, sending the legendary assassin the Huntsman, Malachi Bowden, after me. The Huntsman's never failed a contract before, but I know everything there is to know about him. It's finally time for me to take my revenge and finish the war my aunt started. The Huntsman might be my death. But Malachi Bowden? He's my weakness. Huntsman is a dark mafia romance that explores themes, subjects, and scenes that may not be suitable for everyone. Please see the author's content note at the beginning of the book. Tropes: Enemies to lovers, Forced proximity, Touch her/him and die, Morally grey MMCs, Revenge Fairytale reimagining"-- Provided by publisher.

Streeter, Leslie Gray

2025

"Entertainment journalist Dawn Roberts has a lot to work through: a widow’s grief, betrayals of family and friends, and scandals that almost tanked her reputation. Not that Dawn dwells on the past. Well, hardly. When she returns to Baltimore with her husband’s ashes, she can’t avoid it. In fact, she’s diving into decades of backstabbing and treachery for her first trip home in years. She’s looking at you, Joe Perkins. Her former mentor, whose explosive exposé about big-city corruption is being turned into a slanderous movie, is also back in town. The villain of the piece? Dawn. The good news is that this could all be a chance to reset―heal family wounds, admit to her own mistakes, and maybe even reconnect with the one who got away. Oh, and get even with Joe any way she can. With the surprising help of an up-and-coming journalist and a legendary R & B diva, Dawn will finally set the record straight. Returning home might just be the biggest story in Dawn’s life, a fresh start―and happy ending―she never expected." -- Publisher annotation.

Ryan, Kennedy

2026

A scorching second-chance romance between a talented screenwriter and a phenomenal musician from "a fantastic storyteller and superb writer." ?NPR ?You never forget your first love. Isn't that what they say? Verity Hill knows this truth intimately. She didn't simply miss Wright "Monk" Bellamy when they parted ways in college. She's haunted by his touch. Every kiss, any lover since--it's a shadow of what they had. Time heals all wounds. Isn't that what they say? Monk doesn't believe that for a second. He wasn't simply betrayed when he and Verity split. He was devastated, with parts of him left behind in the ruins of all that was destroyed. More than a decade after their disastrous breakup, Verity and Monk must work together on the set of an epic Harlem Renaissance biopic. With Monk, now a world-class musician, creating the score, and Verity, an award-winning screenwriter, penning the script, there's Oscar buzz before shooting even begins. This once-in-a-lifetime project could catapult them both to new heights, but can they can put the past behind them for the sake of the film...for the sake of something more?

Howard, J J

2026

One girl. One boy. Two dogs in puppy love. And one giant lie that spins out of control...This sweet and funny novel about pugs and friendship is perfect for tween readers looking for a rom-com that is just right for them.Ana Ramos may not have a dog of her own, but she does get to walk her neighbor's adorable pug, Osito. One day, at the park, Osito befriends another pug, whose owner happens to be a cute boy named Calvin. When Calvin assumes that Osito belongs to Ana, she doesn't correct him. No big deal, right?Ana doesn't realize the trouble she has unleashed until Calvin shows up at her school. Calvin suggests setting up playdates for the two pugs, and Ana can't bring herself to admit that Osito isn't hers. In fact, her fibs keep multiplying! Will Ana fess up and figure out how she feels about Calvin before her white lies catch up to her?

Reynolds, April

2026

Set in East Harlem during the mid-1980s, this novel centers on three women whose lives intersect following the murder of a twelve-year-old boy. When a local resident reports the discovery of the child's body, the event reverberates throughout the neighborhood, affecting families, clergy, and community members. As the boy's mother seeks answers, issues of grief, friendship, drug activity, policing, and community activism emerge. Against the backdrop of New York City in 1986, the narrative portrays the social and economic challenges facing the neighborhood and examines collective responses to loss and injustice.

Hammonds Reed, Christina

2026

"Odysseus Johnson dreams of musical stardom for his three sons: Roman, the rebel, more interested in being a teenager than a performer; Rocco, arguably the most talented of the bunch but different in a way the world doesn't understand; and dutiful River, the youngest, who dreams of fame just like his dad. Driving back from another failed audition in Detroit, the Johnson boys encounter the ghost of Christmas Jones the Third, an effervescent, if lonely, little Black boy who carries the scars of his horrific past as an orphan and minstrel sensation. Desperate for family, Christmas begs the Johnsons to bring him home with them. When Odysseus refuses, Christmas stows away in the family Cadillac. Despite their initial horror, Christmas becomes a part of the Johnson family. With the promise of opportunities in California, Odysseus moves the family out west, and the boys' talent starts getting noticed. But just as the brothers are finally on the cusp of fame, Christmas commits a violent act that wreaks havoc on the Johnsons' lives, and the family is torn asunder in the aftermath. Roman flees the country. Rocco is institutionalized. River's solo star rises. Christmas disappears. Spanning decades, roving from the rapacious music industry and the ravages of Vietnam to the dark corridors of a mental institution and the very planes of the afterlife, The Johnson Four is epic in scope. And at its beating heart is the unforgettable story of a family trying to find their way back to one another." -- (dust jacket)

Robinson, Shauna, http://id.loc.gov/authorities/names/n2021004810

2025

"Lauryn Harper had a plan. A high achieving, perfectly constructed, five-year plan. But after a (totally blown out of proportion) mishap at work that plan is put to the test. As punishment for her mistake she is transferred to the Ryser Charity Department, a branch of her corporation that just so happens to be located in the hometown she abandoned long ago - the same hometown that her powerful corporation is responsible for running into the ground. Horrified at the thought of returning and facing those she left behind (one in particular keeps coming to mind), Lauryn quickly comes up with a new plan: impress her boss enough that she's briskly whisked back to her big city life. However, it soon becomes clear that sticking to plans isn't that simple, especially when her ex-best friend enters the charity department demanding they help revitalize the town by throwing the famous Greenstead Fall Festival. Confronted by her past wrongs, Lauryn immediately agrees to host the festival on Ryser's dime, but soon enough Lauryn is swept away in town hijinks, chaotic planning committees, and a second chance at a childhood friend that shows her why home isn't necessarily a place she has to run from"-- Provided by publisher.

Riley, Vanessa

2026

"From Vanessa Riley, acclaimed author of Queen of Exiles, comes a dual-timeline saga based on the life of the legendary pirate Jacquotte Delehaye, a fearless woman of mixed parentage who forged her own life plundering wealth and battling slavers on the treacherous Caribbean seas of the 17th century"-- Provided by publisher.

Pitts, Delia, 1950-

2025

"Delia Pitts expertly writes about family, race, class, and grief in her mysteries. Vandy Myrick captured readers' and critics' hearts in Trouble in Queenstown. She returns in Death of an Ex, where Vandy tries to piece together what brought her ex-husband's life to an end. Queenstown, New Jersey, feels big when you need help and tiny when you want privacy. For Vandy Myrick, that's both a blessing and a curse. Now that Vandy's back in "Q-Town," her services as her hometown's only Black woman private investigator have earned her more celebrity-or notoriety-than she figured. Keeping busy with work helps Vandy deal with the grief of losing her daughter, stitching the seams, cementing the gaps. The memories will always remain, and they come crashing back to the surface when her ex-husband, Phil Bolden, walks back into her life. Promising everything, returning home, restoring family. Until she answers her door to the news that Phil has been murdered. And Vandy decides Phil is now her client. It's hard to separate the Phil that Vandy knew from the one Queenstown did. She sees him-and their daughter-in Phil's son, who attends a prestigious local high school. She sees the layers of a complicated marriage with his wife. She sees all of Phil's various roles: parent, husband, businessman, philanthropist. But which role got him killed?"-- Provided by publisher.

Ridley, Erica

2025

"Advice columnist Miss Vivian Henry despises the Wild Wynchesters her young cousin idolizes. A privileged, wealthy family might get away with murder, while ordinary people are stuck firmly in their place. But when her beloved cousin goes missing and the authorities shrug, Viv has no choice but to beg for help from the vigilantes she hates. Animal trainer and secretive poet Jacob Wynchester prefers to stay behind the safety of a quill. The last thing he wants is to be lead investigator for his brilliant but prickly new client. As they team up to rescue her kidnapped cousin, they fall in love despite themselves. But when Jacob's grand gesture backfires, everything they care about is thrown into jeopardy. Together, they must not only save the day, but also decide how far they're willing to go to be who they really are. And determine whether their partnership is a mistake... or the missing piece that completes them"-- Provided by publisher.

Payne, Nikki, 1982-

2025

"An amateur online sleuth must enlist the help of a jaded PI to clear her name while taking down a shady tech start-up in this exhilarating romantic caper. Famed Reddit detective Fiona Addai is great at solving problems-online, that is. Cold cases, reality TV scandals, everyone calls on @Princess_PI. It's her way of escaping her strict religious life at home and the memory of her brilliant brother's sudden death. But when the sheltered sleuth tries to apply her inquisitive skills to real life, her plan to reclaim her late brother's invention from the ruthless corporation that stole it goes disastrously wrong. Now, instead of getting justice, Fiona finds herself accused of murder. Maurice Bennett is no stranger to insomnia. These days, he's not losing sleep over the cases he's solving-but running from the one he couldn't. Instead, he's been settling for small-time scandals that don't stir up the guilt he's buried. But when he spots Fiona Addai at the center of a murder investigation, something clicks. And for the first time in a long while, Maurice feels that old spark of intrigue. However, Fiona is not the helpless damsel she appears to be. Sure, she needs Maurice's help to clear her name, but she's got conditions of her own: she wants a crash course in real-world detective work. Maurice isn't exactly thrilled. With every late-night stakeout and tension-filled interrogation, their partnership starts to feel a little too close for comfort. To bring the real killer to light, they'll need to trust each other and that might be the most dangerous gamble of all"-- Provided by publisher.

Natera, Cleyvis

2025

"The Grand Paloma Resort is a lush paradise in the Dominican Republic where the guests enjoy incredible luxury, and the staff is always eager to please-that is, until they are pushed to the brink"-- Provided by publisher.

Oyeyemi, Helen

2025

"A brilliant, playful new novel about identity and personality, from master storyteller Helen Oyeyemi. What if you had to share your body and life with six different versions of yourself? Kinga-Alojzia lives alone in Prague, but she's never lonely. A different personality takes up residence in her mind each day of the week. Every evening, that day's personality leaves written notes for the next day's self about what transpired. This all works quite well until the day that Kinga, who is Polish, becomes a Czech citizen. She wants to be a model member of her adopted country, but one of her selves seems to be plotting a takeover, scheming to rule them all. A captivating exploration of identity and multiplicity, A NEW NEW ME combines Helen Oyeyemi's crackling, exuberant prose with deep existential questions: What happens when your identities are at war with each other? How many versions of oneself can one self contain?"-- Provided by publisher.

Morrow, Lauren

2025

"Thirty-something Layla Smart was raised by her mother to dream medium. But all Layla's ever wanted was a career in dance, which requires dreaming big. So when she receives an offer to be the choreographer-in-residence at Briar House in rural Vermont, she temporarily leaves behind Brooklyn, her job, her friends, and her husband to pursue it. Layla has nine months to navigate a complex institution and teach a career-defining dance to a group of Black dancers in a very small, very white town. She has help from a handsome composer, a neurotic costume designer, a witty communications director, and the austere program director who can only compare Layla to Black choreographers. It's an enormous feat, and that's before Layla's marriage buckles under the strain of distance, before Briar House's problematic past comes to light, and before Layla finds out she's pregnant. Little Movements is a poignant and insightful story that explores issues of race, class, art, and ambition. It is a novel about self-discovery, the pressures placed on certain bodies, and never giving up on your dream"-- Provided by publisher.

McKinney-Whetstone, Diane

2025

"Ayana has inherited the Knowing gene that the Maces believe have been passed down to at least one girl child in every generation from as far back as they can trace. But her mother has tried to convince her that she is nothing like those weird Mace women. To keep the peace, Ayana lies to everyone--to the Maces, insisting she's never felt a Knowing, to her mother about participating in the rituals, and to herself about her relationship with a man who helps her recover time and time again from the mania she experiences after seeing into the future. Ayana's aunt Lil, banned from the Mace home decades ago after violating a sacred vow, has returned to Philadelphia for a medical procedure. She settles into the chaos of her brother's home where Ayana, a failing college senior, has also returned. After a harrowing premonition, Ayana must decide whether to deepen family schisms by enlisting her aunt's help, even as she learns the shocking details of Lil's breech. Meanwhile Nona, becomes more of a participant than creator as her own drama is deftly interspersed throughout, as she too yields to the power of the Mace family and its indomitable spirit." -- Provided by publisher.

Monroe, Mary

2026

2025

"A heartwarming and unforgettable collection of love stories set at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, exploring hope, endurance, and what it means to leave a legacy, from some of today's most prominent Black writers and edited by the acclaimed author of Love Radio"-- Provided by publisher.

McCoy, Taj

2025

Aspiring supper club chef Kendra falls for her brother's best friend BJ, whose reluctance to cross emotional lines masks deeper fears, forcing them both to confront love, loyalty, and the cost of unspoken dreams.

LaQuette

2026

"A single mom gets a second chance at love with her high school sweetheart. Wary of love after divorce, Janae Sanders focuses on the best things in her life: her son James and her besties in the Savvy, Sexy, and Single Club. As for romance? Not today, Satan. That is, until high school heartthrob Adam Henderson crashes back into her life at their 20-year reunion. Sparks fly, but just when Janae considers dating again, the new superintendent of James' school district slashes his beloved arts program. Instead of getting her groove back, Janae gets her protest on. Returning home after twenty years, Adam jumps at the chance to reacquaint himself with Janae, the one who got away. But he's nearly reached his limit, juggling a meddling father, school politics, and -- unbeknownst to him -- Janae's ire. If he can't get the head of the PTA off his back after cutting programs that were costing the district money, his debut role as superintendent and his love life hang in the balance. When a school board meeting is called and they both realize they've been dating the enemy, Janae gives Adam two choices: restore the program or lose her. Adam proposes a third option: one weekend at his cabin to talk it all out -- funding the arts, and old feelings too. When her girls cheer her on, Janae must decide if she's willing to risk it all. Armed with sass, sarcasm, and a suitcase full of emotional baggage, Janae and Adam discover that sometimes love shows up in the most infuriating and unexpectedly sexy ways." -- Provided by publisher.

Kann, Claire

2025

"A love just for show grows into something more in this swoonworthy romance from the author of The Romantic Agenda. Zinnia is an ambitious, successful businesswoman who is not about to wait around for her One True Love. She turns her dating profile into a marriage-merger proposal: a few strategic meetings, move in together, get married-all within thirty days. Her friends think it will never work... until she meets Jordan, a near-perfect applicant with a big secret. Jordan's family has spent the last decade starring in a massively popular reality show about their lives. He has finally agreed to join the cast, but production wants him to marry an actress (his ex) in a romantic storyline to boost viewership. Convinced Zinnia is perfect for the role instead, Jordan proposes a mutually beneficial marriage agreement: she gets her business partner husband, and he gets to help his family on his terms. Together they face strict schedules, wild plot twists, and behind-the-scenes hostilities, all while acting like besotted newlyweds -- an intense performance that evolves into a relationship they never expected. As the line between reality and show blurs, Zinnia and Jordan must choose between a clean contract or a beautifully messy love story."-- Provided by publisher.

Key, Justin C

2026

"From New York Times bestselling author Justin C. Key, a thrilling novel set in the near future where artificial intelligence runs the world, following a young doctor as he unravels family secrets In a year not so far from our own, society is run by the shepherds, a global AI system. The shepherds have controlled every aspect of Pok's twenty years of life-they decided what schools Pok went to, what jobs he was eligible for, what foods he ate, and even his medical care. He's content living a carefree life until his father is killed by a mysterious illness. Searching for answers, Pok decides to follow in his father's footsteps and travel to the very last hold-out city and train at the one hospital that still practices human-led medicine: Hippocrates. As Pok works his way through medical school, he's pulled into the terrifying mystery of a strange illness plaguing immigrants who grew up under shepherd rule. Will Pok be able to uncover what's truly going on in the inner sanctum of the shepherds? The Hospital at the End of the World is a medical thriller for the ages exploring the intersection of technology, health, and what it means to be truly free"-- Provided by publisher.

Jordan, Ashley, 1987-

2025

"Eve Ambroise may be a rising star playwright, but her personal life is falling part. Desperate for a fresh start, she breaks up with her fiancé, cuts off her parents, and heads to the Tennessee mountains. But keeping up the lie that she's just on a writing retreat becomes near impossible when faced with the well-meaning townspeople and a neighbor who has just as much baggage as she has. Coming off a contentious custody battle, Jamie Gallagher is restructuring what his life looks like as a single dad, and spending more days at his cabin makes his new "free time" a little less empty. Especially when he meets the beautiful-and prickly-woman next door. The last thing he needs is a new romance to shake up his family dynamics even more, but there's something about Eve. What starts out as a fling quickly becomes more serious, and it's not long before Eve is running scared once again. She's loved and lost in every possible way, and risking it one more time could finally break her. But like the fireflies that fill the mountains around them, Jamie's and Eve's lives keep falling into sync. A fairy-tale ending could be in the cards, but only if the new couple can get out of their heads and put their hearts first"-- Provided by publisher.

Johnson, Sadeqa

2026

Jamal, Zakiya N.

2025

Stella Renee Johnson, a digital media employee, encounters Max Williams at a social event and later discovers that he is connected to an artificial intelligence company partnering with her workplace. As professional tensions arise from the collaboration, Stella and Max navigate a developing personal relationship alongside conflicts involving career ambitions, workplace ethics, and identity. The narrative explores contemporary relationships, technology, and professional life.

Jackson-Opoku, Sandra

2025

"When Savvy Summers first opened Essie's soul food café, she never expected her customer-favorite sweet potato pie to become the center of a murder investigation. But when Grandy Jaspers, the 75-year-old neighborhood womanizer, drops dead at table two, she suddenly has more to worry about than just maintaining Essie's reputation for the finest soul food in the Chicagoland area. Even as the police deem Grandy's death an accident, Savvy quickly finds herself -- and her beloved café -- in the middle of an entire city's worth of bad press. Desperate to clear her name and keep her business afloat, Savvy and her snooping assistant manager, Penny Lopés, take it upon themselves to find who really killed Grandy. But with a slimy investor harassing her to sell her name and business, customers avoiding her sweet potato pie like the plague, and her police sergeant ex-husband suddenly back in the picture, will Savvy be able to clear the cafâe's name and solve Grandy's murder before it all falls apart? After all,while Savvy always said her sweet potato pie was to die for, she never meant literally"-- Provided by publisher.

J. Jahquel

2025

You've been given everything you could have ever want. Penthouse on Park avenue, access to the family's money, and switching foreign cars like underwear.The youngest of your siblings, raised by your older brother after your parents died, and given clear instructions on what is expected of you and your role within the family.Working under Corleon D. Bruster since you were seventeen, you've become a force to be reckoned with.There was only one rule your brother had and he was real clear on it.You broke that one rule...

Holmes, Jasmine

2026

Mississippi, 1927. The groanings are coming. No town is perfect, but East Cobb comes close. It's a wealthy all-Black Free Town--untouched by white oppression--where ambitious Thea Elliot and her husband plan to make good on their big dreams. Little do they know that the idyllic town teems with ghoulish, walking nightmares . . . that only the women can see. Marah knows the groanings well. She is one of the carriers--women with the ability to pull traumatic memories from men. Populated by men entirely freed of their pain, East Cobb has flourished, even as the remnants of their memories haunt the town's women. When an unexpected death drives Marah to discover more about her own power, Thea's and Marah's worlds collide. The sisters must confront the rotten core at the heart of East Cobb's prosperity and choose what--and who--will survive the reckoning. A gripping blend of historical fiction and Southern gothic psychological horror, Our Sister's Keeper is a fierce exploration of Black sisterhood, rage, and resistance.

Gray, Ayana

2025

"Meddy has spent her whole life as a footnote in someone else's story. Out of place next to her beautiful, immortal sisters and her parents-both gods, albeit minor ones-she dreams of leaving her family's island for a life of adventure. So when she catches the eye of the goddess Athena, who invites her to train as an esteemed priestess in her temple, Meddy leaps at the chance to see the world beyond her home. In Athens's colorful market streets and the clandestine chambers of the temple, Meddy flourishes in her role as Athena's favored acolyte, getting her first tastes of purpose and power. But when she is noticed by another Olympian, Poseidon, a drunken night between girl and god ends in violence, and the course of Meddy's promising future is suddenly and irrevocably altered. Her locs transformed into snakes as punishment for a crime she did not commit, Medusa must embrace a new identity-not as a victim, but as a vigilante-and with it, the chance to write her own story as mortal, martyr, and myth. Exploding with rage, heartbreak, and love, I, Medusa portrays a young woman caught in the cross currents between her heart's deepest desires and the cruel, careless games the Olympian gods play"-- Provided by publisher.

Harris, Nathan

2025

In 1866 New Orleans, formerly enslaved siblings Coleman and June are separated, only to embark on perilous, individual journeys through the Mexican desert to reunite and seize the freedom they were promised.

Farley, Christopher John

2025

"Part social thriller, part modern love story, Who Knows You by Heart is a sly, witty, and endlessly discussable tale of Big Tech, new money, relationships, race, and discovering what's real in an age of artificial intelligence"-- Provided by publisher.

Flournoy, Angela

2025

"Desiree, Danielle, January, Monique, and Nakia are in their early twenties and at the beginning. Of their careers, of marriage, of motherhood, and of big-city lives in New York and Los Angeles. Together, they are finding their way through the wilderness,that period of life when the reality of contemporary adulthood-overwhelming, mysterious, and full of freedom and consequences-swoops in and stays. Desiree and Danielle, sisters whose shared history has done little to prevent their estrangement, nurse bitter family wounds in different ways. January's got a relationship with a "good" man she feels ambivalent about, even after her surprise pregnancy. Monique, a librarian and aspiring blogger, finds unexpected online fame after calling out the university where she works for its plans to whitewash fraught history. And Nakia is trying to get her restaurant off the ground, without relying on the largesse of her upper middle-class family who wonder aloud if she should be doing something better with her life. Asthese friends move from the late 2000's into the late 2020's, from young adults to grown women, they must figure out what they mean to one another-amid political upheaval, economic and environmental instability, and the increasing volatility of modern American life. The Wilderness is Angela Flournoy's masterful and kaleidoscopic follow-up to her critically acclaimed debut The Turner House. A generational talent, she captures with disarming wit and electric language how the most profound connections over alifetime can lie in the tangled, uncertain thicket of friendship"-- Provided by publisher.