We can’t believe the year is wrapping up already! December always seems to sneak up on us like a plot twist we knew was coming but somehow still weren’t ready for. And while the holiday season is famously packed with glitter, gift lists, and end-of-year chaos, there’s something undeniably magical about curling up with a brand-new book just as the year winds down. 

So today, we’re sharing the new December releases the OUABC team is most excited to get their hands on. And just a quick reminder before we dive in: these titles won’t necessarily appear in our book boxes, but they’re too good not to share. So grab your fuzzy socks, warm up a mug of something delicious, and get ready to stack your December TBR sky-high because we’ve got some incredible stories coming your way!

We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark

Release Date: December 30th, 2025

Arvelle’s life in the Thorn district is already dangerous, but when a vampire forces her into a magically binding vow to kill the emperor, her entire world shifts. To get close enough, she must survive the Sundering, an arena where only the strongest live long enough to join the emperor’s elite guard. Torn between a past love, the emperor’s terrifying son, and the powers awakening inside her, Arvelle finds herself caught in a deadly conspiracy. With her brothers’ lives on the line, every choice could be fatal. This slow-burn romantasy sounds like the perfect blend of combat, secrets, and sizzling tension.

The Mating Game by Lana Ferguson

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Tess Covington thinks she’s sick—but it turns out she’s a late-presenting omega wolf shifter. Determined not to derail her renovation job or her family’s finances, she tries to avoid alpha wolves…which becomes tricky when her newest client is Hunter Barrett. He wants nothing to do with omegas after being hurt before, yet Tess may be the only one who can save his failing lodge. As they work together, spark after spark flies, even though they both know their fling has an expiration date. A reluctant, slow-burn, head-over-paws romance? Yes, please.

Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Liv travels to a tiny Norwegian town hoping for answers and instead finds herself tangled in ancient myths that refuse to stay buried. The legends she uncovers feel eerily familiar and far too alive to ignore. Steeped in magic, mystery, and dangerous romance, this story promises the haunting atmosphere of American Gods with the irresistible attraction of The Cruel Prince. It’s dark, dreamy, and perfect for winter nights.

The Happiness Collector by Crystal King

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Aida Reale accepts a dream job with MODA in Italy, hoping to rebuild her life and career, but things quickly take a strange turn. Sites she researches vanish, tragedies unfold, and her fiancé grows distant as her new world becomes increasingly unsettling. With the help of her mysterious colleague Luciano, Aida discovers she’s been collecting more than data; she’s gathering happiness itself for gods with their own agenda. Now she must untangle the truth before everything she loves disappears. It’s atmospheric, modern, and a little bit mythic, exactly the kind of twisty contemporary fantasy we love.

The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty

Release Date: December 16th, 2025

Vera always knew she didn’t fit in. Then, a stranger insists she’s the reincarnation of Queen Guinevere and sends her through a time portal into Camelot. Magic is fading, gossip is swirling, and her relationships with Arthur and Lancelot are much more complicated than the legends ever hinted. Without her memories to guide her, Vera must trust her instincts to save a kingdom she barely understands. It’s heartfelt, adventurous, and delightfully witty, with a feminist twist on the Arthurian myth.

In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams

Release Date: December 30th, 2025

After her New York culinary dreams fall apart, Madison Walker returns home to Rome, Kentucky, for an unexpected fresh start. Taking a head-chef job from James Huxley, her brother’s best friend and long-time annoyance, wasn’t part of her plan, yet the two must work together to open a new restaurant. As small-town meddling grows and James’s charming brother complicates things further, Madison begins questioning what she truly wants. Their slow-burn romance deepens just as old insecurities threaten to pull them apart. Warm, heartfelt, and deliciously romantic, this one feels like a cozy winter treat.

 

How to Grieve Like a Victorian by Amy Carol Reeves

Release Date: December 9th, 2025

Lizzie Wells is grieving the only way she knows how: dramatically, authentically, and with full Victorian flair. Mourning clothes, hair jewelry, handwritten letters…she’s embracing it all after losing her husband unexpectedly. A trip to London helps her begin healing, especially as her friendship (and maybe something more) with Henry, her husband’s best friend, grows over months of check-ins and FaceTime calls. Lizzie must decide if she’s brave enough to let love back into her life. Equal parts snarky, heartfelt, and tender, this grief-and-healing journey sounds unforgettable.

The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Eleanor has spent her life in a magical library where stories reveal who you are—and who you might become. But when her mentor dies, and a powerful book vanishes, she must team up with Daniel, the librarian’s estranged son she once loved. Their search takes them across continents as they follow clues and unravel secrets tied to the book’s dangerous magic. Someone else wants the book too, and they’re willing to go to terrifying lengths to claim it. Romantic, mysterious, and steeped in literary magic—it’s everything we love in a winter read.

The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Lexi Villiers begins New Year’s Day ready for her first kiss with her best friend…and ends it as Princess Alexandrina, heir to the British throne. Suddenly thrust into palace intrigue, scandals, and a family that trades secrets like currency, Lexi must decide who she can trust. With the crown within reach and betrayal around every corner, her choices will reshape her future. Dramatic, emotional, and royally addictive, sign us up!

Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka

Release Date: December 9th, 2025

Morgan is literally being ghosted; her ex is haunting her after just one date. At a support group, she meets Sawyer, whose ghostly fiancée is fading away, and together they try to solve their supernatural problems. As they grow closer, their living connection begins to overshadow the unresolved relationships of their pasts. Sweet, funny, and wonderfully strange, this romance is perfect for readers craving something heartfelt with a paranormal twist.

Dawn of the Firebird by Sarah Mughal Rana

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Khamilla Zahr-zad, daughter of an emperor’s clan, hides in an enemy army school, determined to reclaim her throne and avenge her family. With jinn, magic, brutal competitions, and mystic monks shaping her path, she must outwit rivals and confront the dark truths behind her father’s teachings. As twisted magic overtakes the land and kingdoms edge toward war, Khamilla faces an impossible choice between vengeance and salvation. Fierce, sweeping, and full of fire, this is epic fantasy at its finest.

The Bodyguard Affair by Amy Lea

Release Date: December 2nd, 2025

Andi Zeigler leads a double life: political assistant by day, secret romance author by night. When her steamy novel becomes a bestseller and sparks scandalous rumors, she ropes in Nolan Crosby, the PM’s bodyguard and her one-night-stand from years ago, for a fake-dating plan. But as they pretend for the cameras, real feelings begin slipping through the cracks. Charming, funny, and irresistibly romantic, this one has “instant fan favorite” written all over it!

Need Something to Read While You Wait?

If you’re anything like us, your TBR just doubled, and it’s not even January yet! If you can’t wait for these exciting new releases to hit shelves, don’t worry. Our Ready-to-Ship boxes are here to keep you company in the meantime. With immersive stories, magical gifts, and that special OUABC sparkle, they’re the perfect way to end the year with a little extra bookish joy. Happy reading from all of us at Once Upon a Book Club!

If you’re still looking for more recommendations, make sure to check out our latest blog What’s Keeping the OUABC Team Busy?