March went by in the blink of an eye this year. I still managed to get some good reading in, including a few of our most anticipated titles from last month. But now it’s time to look ahead at the new books headed our way in April 2026. And the lineup is really starting to heat up.
April is the soft launch for summer reading season in the publishing world. And that means that things in my favorite genres, like romance and cozy fantasy, are really starting to pick up. April 2026 has some exciting new book releases in store. So, let’s dig into Bonus Action’s monthly most anticipated new books, shall we?
The Name Game by Beth O’Leary
- Release Date: April 7th
- Price: $19.00 on Amazon
- Publisher: Berkley
- ARC Received: Yes
Somehow, I didn’t realize that one of my favorite authors, Beth O’Leary, had a new book coming out until I went to write this list. And it’s out April 7th?! This latest contemporary romance from O’Leary brings yet another wild premise, where two people with the same name wind up sharing a job due to a mix-up. A remote island farm-shop and probable enemies-to-lovers shenanigans? Sign me up.
Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West
- Release Date: April 14th
- Price: $20.00 on Amazon
- Publisher: Saturday Books
- ARC Received: Yes
I’m a total sucker for a fake dating trope, and Stranger Things Have Happened is serving up a wild one. Our main character, Sutton, starts attending couples therapy with a stranger turned fake fiancé to prove a point and help her best friend’s struggling relationship. Like I said, a wild premise. But I’m curious to see where it goes, and that lands this one among my list for the most exciting new book releases for the month.
Stay for a Spell by Amy Coombe
- Release Date: April 14th
- Price: $30 via Amazon
- Publisher: Ace
- ARC Received: Yes
I had the pleasure of reading this one early, so I can already confirm it’s a delight of a cozy fantasy novel. A princess who loves books winds up cursed to spend her days unable to leave a small-town bookshop. Her parents send help, the only way they can think to, in the form of all the land’s princes to deliver that curse-breaking kiss. But she’s got her eye on a very non-princely sort she’d much rather smooch and a mind to break the curse in her own way.
Second Time’s a Charm by Taylor Epperson
- Release Date: April 21st
- Price: $19.99 on Amazon
- Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
- ARC Received: Yes
Second Time’s a Charm is a second-chance romance with a fantasy twist. It centers on Reece, who ran away from her small town to build a life running a magical flower shop. But when she inherits her father’s magical creature sanctuary, she finds herself back home and face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend. Who just so happens to also be a part-time assassin. With a synopsis like that, I can’t help but be excited for this one, even if second-chance romance is one of my least favorite tropes.
Death Meets Cute by J. Penner
- Release Date: April 28th
- Price: $18.99 on Amazon
- Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
- ARC Received: No
I read and adored J. Penner’s fantasy meets Great British Bake Off story, A Fellowship of Bakers & Magic, a few years ago. And I’ve been watching for new books ever since. Death Meets Cute is certainly one I’m curious to check out. It follows aspiring villainess Iris Weyward, who dabbles in necromancy to solve her bodyguard problem. The only issue? Her newly reanimed Orc companion isn’t fearsome so much as he is a major cinnamon roll. What’s a wicked witch to do?
Looking for even more book recs to fill your TBR? You can check out last month’s picks in our March Most Anticipated roundup.
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