This list combines the literary heavyweights from my initial research with the massive bestseller and special edition titles. These are the definite top 10 most anticipated books for April 2026 across every major category. Fantasy & Romantasy The Throne of Broken Gods (Deluxe Edition) by Amber V. Nicole: The high-stakes sequel to The Book of Azrael. The Tempest Blade by Danielle L. Jensen: A massive release for Bridge Kingdom fans. Reborn by Jaymin Eve: The latest from a powerhouse in paranormal romance. Blood Bound (Deluxe Edition) by Ellis Hunter: A breakout debut about a witch and a dragon prince. The Thorn Queen (Deluxe Edition) by Sasha Peyton Smith: A dark, Victorian-inspired fantasy sequel. Rites of the Starling by Devney Perry: Epic romantasy following a princess in a cursed realm. The Book Witch by Meg Shaffer: A magical story about someone who can "jump" into novels. The Arachnid by I.V. Ophelia: A gothic/dark fantasy gaining massive social media traction. Bulletproof (Deluxe Edition) by K.M. Moronova: A dark fantasy/thriller blend with high stakes. The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 7 by Mokumokuren: A top-tier horror-fantasy manga with a cult following.Romance King of Gluttony (B&N Exclusive) by Ana Huang: The 6th Kings of Sin book; a spicy rival-to-lovers hit. Chasing the Clouds Away by Debbie Macomber: A heartwarming release from the queen of contemporary romance. It's in His Kiss (Deluxe Collector’s Edition) by Julia Quinn: A stunning hardcover of the 7th Bridgerton book. HANS by S.J. Tilly: The 4th in the Alliance series; highly anticipated by contemporary romance fans. The Auction (Deluxe Edition) by Sadie Kincaid: A dark, spicy TikTok sensation. The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn: A mature second-chance romance set in Paris. Happy Ending by Chloe Liese: A favorite for inclusive and emotional contemporary romance. Big Girl Blitz by Danielle Allen: The 3rd in her beloved contemporary series. Don’t Tell Me How It Ends by Adrienne Thurman: A cynic meets a tow truck driver in an unexpected romance. Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell: A woman finds her life caricatured in a webcomic.Mystery & Crime A Deadly Episode by Anthony Horowitz: The 6th Hawthorne and Horowitz whodunnit. Last One Out by Jane Harper: Atmospheric Australian noir from the author of The Dry. The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke: Authors compete on a private island to finish a novel. How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin: The 3rd Castle Knoll files mystery. Everyone in This Bank Is a Thief by Benjamin Stevenson: A witty heist-gone-wrong mystery. Guilt by Keigo Higashino: A masterclass in Japanese detective fiction. Mrs. Shim Is a Killer by Kang Jiyoung: A darkly humorous thriller about a butcher-turned-assassin. A Killer in the Family by Amin Ahmad: Tense domestic crime about a family secret. Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff: Sharp, modern espionage. A Death in the Dark by Ellie Alexander: A classic, atmospheric cozy mystery.Science Fiction The Faith of Beasts by James S. A. Corey: The highly anticipated sequel in The Captive's War series. We Burned So Bright (B&N Exclusive) by T.J. Klune: A queer roadmap story set at the end of the world. The Subtle Art of Folding Space by John Chu: A debut blending physics with generational trauma. The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon: A sentimental journey of a sentient Roomba. Mars One by Charlotte Robinson: A near-future thriller about a one-way trip to Mars. Paradox by Douglas Preston and Aletheia Preston: Sci-fi featuring alien artifacts and resurrected Neanderthals. The Faith of Beasts (Signed Edition): Specifically tracked for the massive collector demand. Transcription by Ben Lerner: Exploring the technology used to store or erase human memory. Event Horizon by Balsam Karam: A rebel is forced into a mission into a black hole. Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer: Complex, award-winning futuristic storytelling.Historical Fiction Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez: Set in 2007 against a looming fiscal crisis. The Last Women of Warsaw by Judy Batalion: A powerful story of WWII resistance. Lidie by Jane Smiley: A Pulitzer-winner's novel about fleeing pre-Civil War America. The Correspondent (Deluxe Edition) by Virginia Evans: A sweeping historical mystery. By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult: Blending past and present to explore identity and secrets. The Names by Florence Knapp: A novel of historical memory and loss. A Far-Flung Life by Unknown: An expansive journey across decades and continents. The Midnight Train by Matt Haig: Historical choices and second chances. The Secrets of Flowers by Sally Page: A lyrical history explored through nature. Enormous Wings: A narrative set in a transformative mid-century period.Nonfiction & Memoir The Ride: Paul Revere by Kostya Kennedy: A narrative of Revere’s ride for the 250th anniversary. Drownproof: Eight Life Lessons by Andy Stumpf: Leadership and Navy SEAL survival tactics. London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe: Investigating the London criminal underworld. Famesick by Lena Dunham: A frank memoir on illness, fame, and creativity. Dogs, Boys, and Other Things I've Cried About by Isabel Klee: A memoir of finding love in NYC with rescue dogs. Planet Money by Alex Mayyasi & NPR: An accessible guide to economic forces. Zariz: 100 Tel Aviv-y Recipes by Adeena Sussman: One of the year's most anticipated cookbooks. The Rolling Stones by Bob Spitz: A comprehensive rock 'n' roll biography. Monsters in the Archives by Caroline Bicks: A deep dive into Stephen King's creative process. The Edge of Space-Time by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein: Exploring physics and social consciousness.YA (Young Adult) The Escape Game by Marissa Meyer: Teens compete in a high-stakes survival competition. I Could Give You the Moon by Ann Liang: A contemporary story of young love and ambition. Infinite Shores by Pascale Lacelle: The conclusion to the Drowned Gods trilogy. Deathly Fates by Tesia Tsai: A debut inspired by Chinese folk necromancy. To Steal a Throne by Gabi Burton: High-stakes fantasy and royal intrigue. The Thorn Queen (YA Edition) by Sasha Peyton Smith: A human queen in the Otherworld. Release Me by Tahereh Mafi: A new installment in the Shatter Me universe. The Demonic Inventions of Aurelie Blake by Mara Rutherford: A magical adventure. Skyshattered by Julie Kagawa: The finale of the Storm Dragons trilogy. Maybe Tomorrow I’ll Know by Alex Ritany: Contemporary YA focused on identity.
