If you’re looking to refresh your reading list for the warmer months, this summer’s new fiction releases offer an impressive mix of atmosphere, nostalgia, heart and high-stakes drama. These are the books readers are already raving about – and the ones that genuinely earn their spot in your beach bag.
Below, we dive into five new release fiction picks, each explored in more detail to help you find your perfect next read.
Wild Dark Shore – Hannah Kent
Hannah Kent has long been one of Australia’s most exciting literary talents, and Wild Dark Shore is being celebrated as her most accomplished work yet. Already named Dymocks Book of the Year and the Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick for November 2025, it arrives with serious momentum and, remarkably, it lives up to the hype.
Kent’s storytelling is as atmospheric as ever. She has an extraordinary ability to build mood: the sense of place, the shadows of the characters’ histories, the tension between what is said and unsaid. It’s one of those novels that immediately transports you into its world, where every sentence feels deliberate and every detail adds weight. You don’t read this book quickly, you sink into it.
What makes Wild Dark Shore special is the emotional complexity at its core. Kent explores love, grief and belonging with sensitivity and depth, but she never lets the pace drag. Instead, the story grips you gently but firmly, leaving you thinking about its themes long after you close the final page. It’s a standout summer read for anyone who loves fiction that feels immersive, intelligent and genuinely moving.
Buy it here – https://amzn.to/3M05ziQ
Pilbara – Judy Nunn
Judy Nunn has built her reputation on big Australian stories, and Pilbara sits proudly among her best. Set in the rugged, scorched heart of Western Australia, the novel spans generations and brings together characters whose lives intersect through ambition, hardship and sheer determination.
Nunn paints the Pilbara with such vivid detail that the setting becomes its own force – harsh yet beautiful, unforgiving yet full of opportunity. Through her characters, she explores the region’s industrial legacy, the strength of the communities who shaped it, and the sacrifices made along the way. It’s a story rooted in real Australian grit, and readers who enjoy history woven seamlessly into fiction will find plenty to savour.
What elevates this novel is the emotional depth behind the sweeping scale. Nunn doesn’t just tell you what the Pilbara looks like, she lets you feel what it means to live there. The friendships, rivalries, romances and tragedies all have weight, giving the book a richness that stays with you. This is a perfect choice for readers who want an immersive, substantial story that celebrates the toughness and heart of regional Australia.
Buy it here – https://amzn.to/48h5PkV
3. Dream Harbour Box Set – Laurie Gilmore
For something joyful, warm and wonderfully addictive, Laurie Gilmore’s Dream Harbour series brings together all the charm of small-town romance in one satisfying box set. Featuring my personal favourites Christmas Tree Farm and Pumpkin Spice Café, these books create a world you genuinely want to spend time in.
Gilmore’s strength is her ability to balance heart and humour without slipping into cliché. The romances feel natural, the dialogue sparkles, and the settings from the festive tree farm to the cosy café are described with just the right amount of detail. They’re comforting books, that are sure to be devoured in no time.
What makes this series genuinely bingeable is the cast of characters. They’re lovable, flawed in the right ways, and easy to root for. And yes the series has a little spice, but it’s perfectly pitched: fun, cheeky, not gratuitous. It’s the ideal summer escape for readers who want something uplifting and entertaining, with enough warmth to leave you smiling long after you finish.
Buy it here – https://amzn.to/4oh4IHE
4. Exit Strategy – Lee Child
Jack Reacher returns in Exit Strategy, and fans will be relieved Lee Child hasn’t lost his edge. This instalment is fast, sharply written and full of the tension that made Reacher a household name. The pacing is brisk, the stakes are high, and Child wastes no time pulling you straight into the action.
What makes this book such a satisfying read is how confidently it’s constructed. Reacher’s moral compass, dry wit and unshakeable calm are all on display, but the plot itself feels fresh rather than formulaic. There are twists that land, moments that genuinely surprise, and enough momentum to keep you turning the pages long after you planned to stop.
For thriller lovers, this is the quintessential summer read: gripping but not heavy, clever but not convoluted, and endlessly entertaining. Whether you’ve read every Reacher book or this is your first, Exit Strategy works as a standalone action-packed ride. It’s the kind of book that reminds you why this series remains one of the most popular in the world.
Buy it here – https://amzn.to/3XesGIK
5. The Hiding Place – Kate Mildenhall
Kate Mildenhall’s The Hiding Place sits comfortably at the intersection of literary fiction and suspense, a thoughtful, atmospheric novel that takes its time in the best possible way. Set against an unmistakably Australian landscape, the story explores the secrets that shape a family and the consequences that ripple long after the truth is buried.
Mildenhall’s writing is elegant yet accessible, with characters who feel complex and real. She builds tension slowly, trusting the reader to follow her breadcrumb trail, and the result is a story that is both emotionally resonant and satisfyingly suspenseful. It’s not a thriller in the traditional sense but it contains just enough unease to keep you hooked.
What will appeal to many readers is the intimacy of the storytelling. Mildenhall is at her best when exploring the bonds and fractures between sisters, friends and mothers. The emotional beats land, the mysteries intrigue, and the ending ties everything together with care. This is a great pick for readers who appreciate depth, nuance and a story that unfolds with deliberate, rewarding pacing.
Whether you want something atmospheric, something sweeping, something romantic or something thrilling, these five new releases offer a satisfying mix of stories to keep you company through the long, warm days.
Buy it here – https://amzn.to/3M0EZpJ
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