Unboxing My Latest Book Haul
Book Mail: A Roundup of the Book Mail I Received Last Week
Late June has that dreamy, sun-drenched feeling where the days seem to stretch on forever, and this week’s book mail arrived like the perfect summer surprise. My TBR pile has grown into a delightfully ambitious stack, thanks to a book haul overflowing with new book releases that practically beg to be read on porches, beaches, and patio afternoons. Each package brought thoughtful book recommendations, like little notes from fellow readers saying, “Trust me, this one is special.” And as I add them to the pile, I can’t help but imagine that a few of these titles will soon be counted among the best books of 2026—the stories that become forever linked with sunshine, long evenings, and the magic of summer reading.
Where to Buy These Books:
I want to note that I do not get paid to do these posts, I just love authors and the book industry. However, they do take time and energy to create. If you want to donate a few dollars to my coffee fund, which keeps this blog going, you can do so here: https://venmo.com/AshleyHasty or here: http://paypal.me/hastybooklist.
This Week’s Book Mail Includes:
The New Norm by Matthew J. Gilbert — A newly viral middle schooler discovers that internet fame is a lot harder to manage when real life keeps getting in the way.
The New Norm: Pranks and Prejudice by Matthew J. Gilbert — A harmless prank spirals into full-blown chaos, forcing Norm and his friends to clean up a very public mess.
The Lake Club by Lina Patton — A handsome male nanny stirs obsession, scandal, and long-buried secrets in an affluent lakeside community.
Romantic Hero by Kirsty Greenwood — A romance novelist battling writer’s block gets the shock of her life when the villain from her unfinished novel appears in her living room.
Sometime This Century by Samantha Silva — A Jane Austen devotee accidentally time-travels to the Regency era and must choose between writing her dream romance and living it.
The Great Outdoors by Kayla Olson — A self-proclaimed high-maintenance woman embarks on a rugged wilderness trek and unexpectedly falls for her adventurous guide.
Virgin Islands Noir edited by Tiphanie Yanique and Richard Georges — This atmospheric anthology reveals the hidden crimes, secrets, and shadows lurking beneath the Caribbean’s postcard-perfect beauty.
Toulouse Noir edited by Charles-Henri Lavielle — A collection of dark and compelling stories explores the underbelly of one of France’s most fascinating cities.
Liberty Street by Heather Marshall — A young journalist goes undercover inside a notorious women’s prison, while decades later a detective uncovers the secrets left behind.
The Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis — A reunion documentary on a remote island reignites a deadly mystery involving a vanished camper and hidden treasure.
Most Ardently Yours by Freya Sampson — A romance lover accidentally summons Mr. Darcy into the modern world and discovers real-life love may be even more complicated than fiction.
Wicked Wanted Widows by Kimberly Belle, Cate Holahan, and Vanessa Lillie — The glamorous widows return for another treasure hunt packed with art theft, danger, and sisterhood.
The Anti-Marriage Pact by Lindsay MacMillan — A woman devoted to rejecting traditional expectations begins to question everything when love enters the picture.
4 Janes by Marian Yee — This inventive reimagining of Jane Eyre follows one soul across multiple lives, countries, and timelines in search of love and belonging.
Between the Light and Me by Kathleen Kilcup — A former soldier reflects on trauma, addiction, faith, and the unexpected ways grace can transform a life.
Precious Ugly by Rae Cline — A pregnant teenage girl living on the margins struggles to survive while uncovering hard truths about the people she trusts most.
Breakout by Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon — A luxury spring break getaway turns deadly when secrets, betrayals, and murder trap a group of elite teens on a private island.
Tarot of the Unconscious by Aliza Einhorn — This thought-provoking guide connects tarot reading with psychoanalysis to help readers uncover hidden truths about themselves.
It’s Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh — A woman convinced her husband is cheating returns home to find something far worse: he’s dead.
American Nightmare by Kelly McWilliams — Inspired by a true civil rights hero, this haunting historical novel follows a Black investigator confronting racism, violence, and his own fears.
The Fortune Tellers of Rue Daru by Olesya Salnikova Gilmore — A gifted young fortune teller in 1920s Paris uncovers dangerous family secrets while communing with restless spirits.
Cocked and Boozy by Brooke Barbier — This entertaining history reveals how alcohol fueled politics, relationships, and revolution in early America.
Defrosted by Cristina LePort — Two scientists awaken centuries in the future to a dystopian world threatened by disease, corruption, and the limits of humanity itself.
Fleet of Ghosts by Taylor Anderson — Explorers on an alternate Earth uncover mysterious lost ships and dangerous technology that could ignite another global war.
The Last Human Bear by Greg Sarris — A Native woman grapples with love, identity, and rumors of shapeshifting powers across nearly a century of California history.
Good Company by Kate Christensen — During a literary festival weekend, a novelist is forced to confront the choices, relationships, and compromises that shaped her life.
Every Lie I Told by Hilary Davidson — A woman’s desperate search for her missing sister pulls her into a web of murder, deception, and long-buried secrets.
Wildflower by Becky Jenkinson — A truth-bound magical florist teams up with a rumored dark sorcerer to uncover a conspiracy threatening the kingdom.
