It’s the middle of October, and you know what that means. It’s the season for scares, and there are plenty of great releases. However, not everyone wants a scare.
Some people want a cozy romance, or they prefer a thriller that completely disrupts their sleep. You may even be one who loved Lessons in Chemistry so much that you’re ready for another from Bonnie Garmus. The good news is that there are some gripping releases on Oct. 13, 2026, and we’ve got the seven you will not be able to live without.
‘Peck & Peck’ by Bonnie Garmus
The only place to start is the new release form bestselling author Garmus. After the success of Lessons in Chemistry, everyone has been waiting to see what comes next. Peck & Peck is a slow-burning tale of a man who just wants to be a poet. At least, that’s what he thinks he wants, but as he starts working at the most prestigious poetry publishing companies in the country, he soon learns that he wants something different.
This is a character-driven story. It takes a minute to really get into, but once you’re at the heart of the tale, you will not be able to put it down. I highly recommend the audiobook as it brings the characters to life.
‘Another Name for Red’ by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala
Let me warn you that Another Name for Red by Amber Blaeser-Wardzala is not an easy read, but it’s not meant to be either. If you know everything that Indigenous women and girls go through, you’ll get a sense immediately of what to expect in this story. It’s raw and human, and there are many elements of real life thrown in that leaves an uncomfortable mark.
Yet, it’s worth the discomfort. I had to put it down a couple of times, but this thriller is also a story of finding answers, getting closure, and standing up for what’s right. Middle Sister is haunted by the people from her community who have disappeared, one of those being Older Sister. With police doing nothing to help, Middle Sister takes it upon herself, but can she find the right white “Eric” in the middle of Minnesota’s haystack?
‘Under the Iron Sky’ by A.T. Emerald
I know there are many romantasy readers out there, and Under the Iron Sky by A.T. Emerald is the one for you this week. It’s a story of a fallen empire, a warrior who will stop at nothing to protect her people, and the violence in the darkness. And it’s the first book in a trilogy, and you will be left needing more as soon as you get to the end.
Vordell was once a beautiful place, and then The Iron Sky unfolded dark clouds. Now, The Dar’rak have reclaimed the world, and Soraya is the land’s only chance at hope. When she’s captured by The Demon, the most feared Dar’rak soldier, she finds out that maybe the enemy isn’t so bad. What happens when she starts developing feelings for him?
‘Entities to Lovers’ by Mallory Marlowe
Cozy romances are where it’s at this fall, and Entities to Lovers by Mallory Marlowe is perfect for those who have recently loved With All My Haunted Heart and Disenchanted. It’s a story of a paranormal medium, Rory, who offers psychic readings and ghost tours, and history professor Ezra.
The two have an immediately cute connection, with Ezra loving to tease and Rory trying not to fall for this devilishly handsome man. Throw in a hex, and the two are taken on a fun ride. You’ll be hooked on the romance from page one, and it just gets better from there.
‘Love You to Death’ by Jenna Levine
Cozy romances are perfect for the crisp mornings, and what better way than to have cozy romance with a light Halloween vibe? Love You to Death by Jenna Levine brings a story of a woman falling for Death. It all starts with Lucy getting hit by an inconveniently-timed bus, and it leads to a budding romance with the Grim Reaper himself.
Daniel is done with collecting souls. He hates the politics of the afterlife, and he finally gets a chance to live just a little. Love You to Death is packed with humor, tension, and magical realism that will make you wish the Grim Reaper would come for you…well, as long as he’s like Daniel!
‘The Woman of the House’ by Kate Mooney
Do you want a supernatural thriller? It’s the scariest month of the year, so of course you do! The Woman of the House by Kate Mooney is just that, bringing us the story of Rose Crawley. She’s never pretended to be the perfect woman to herself, but she’s let her husband believe it. She has everything she’s ever wanted, and nothing is going to stop her enjoying it.
Well, that is until the past comes knocking. The house she lives in doesn’t want her to have the peaceful existence she craves, and each chapter brings new, terrifying supernatural turns. Whether it’s scratches on her arms or reflections in the mirror, Rose will need to figure out what haunts the house, and you will not be the same by the time you end the story. It’s sure to send chills down your spine.
‘Once Upon a Timeline’ by Iman Hariri-Kia
If you love Ashley Poston novels or enjoy novels that involve modern elements, such as social media, then you’ll want to check out Once Upon a Timeline by Iman Hariri-Kia. This is a contemporary romance with magical realism that brings all the cute vibes. It follows Laia, a New York City woman who aspires to be a lifestyle influencer, and failure is not an option. However, just as she finds the perfect light and latte, something glitches.
Everything in her life looks like there’s a problem with the Matrix, as she figures out that she’s no longer the creator. She is the content, and she’s not alone. Noah is an unfiltered man who also wants to get out, and we end up on a hilarious and light journey as the two figure out their way through the mess, which means facing some personal work.