I wish I could read all the books, but I can’t. My work life and the nature of how I read, leave room for about four to six books a month. This year, I want to focus on books already on my shelf, but I don’t want to ignore ARCs (advanced reader copies) or new releases. Especially when a favorite author or the next in a series is released. I’m keeping my time open for one or two ARCs per month and grabbing the others when the mood strikes.
Below are my most anticipated reads by publication month. I’m on the launch team for some, others are part of book tours, and the rest I hope to get my hands on another way. Now I need to decide what I’m going to pull from my shelves.
January: Romantic Legal Drama
I read Jayna’s debut novel and amazing is the word that comes to mind when I think of it. It made the short list for my top reads of 2025. I’m reading this for a book tour. I’d have read it regardless.
An Appearance of Impropriety by Jayna Breigh
Publisher: Kregel Publications
Publication Date: January 27, 2026
Pages: 320
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As the youngest female judge in LA, Mahalia Jackson has her career goals carefully aligned. But when her mentor tells her she needs to break her shell of professionalism and show a little heart by volunteering for the Junior Jurors program, her plans begin to falter.
Attorney JD Cash heads up the Junior Jurors program, a project born out of his own troubled past. He leverages his position as an attorney to fulfill God’s calling on his life, supporting the orphans and widows of society who have lost beloved husbands and fathers to TransNation’s eighteen-wheeled time bombs roaming America’s freeways.
Mahalia’s rule—never date a lawyer—is a straitjacket that tightens when she presides over the case where JD serves as a young widow’s attorney. But when an earthquake leaves JD and Mahalia in a vulnerable position, her resolve begins to waver and she finds herself opening up to the sad-eyed lawyer. But online, anonymous colleagues and adversaries attempt to destroy Mahalia’s reputation and career.
A legal drama threaded with romance, An Appearance of Impropriety will show readers that real love is worth the risk.
February: Interfaith Romance
Patricia Johns is one of the most-read and reviewed authors on my blog. There is one more author I’ve reviewed as much. She’ll be mentioned later on this list. It’s exciting that Patricia keeps selecting me for her launch team, and I’m honored.
An Amish Country Lullaby by Patricia Johns
Series: An Amish Antiques Shop Romance – Book 2
Publisher: Harlequin Heartwarming
Publication Date: February 24, 2026
Pages: 336
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A friend from her past…
A new dream for their future?
Single dad Curtis Moore has returned to Apfelkuchen, Pennsylvania, with a dream to revitalize the town—if only he can unite its Amish and English residents. When local businesswoman Hope Taylor offers to care for his spirited toddler, Lucy, he jumps at the chance. Hope figures this is exactly the experience she needs. Not only is she planning to open a day care, but she’s expecting her first baby—her late husband’s child. As tensions rise over his development plans, Curtis and Hope grow closer—and they must decide if the heart of the town’s future might just lie in the growing love between them.
March: Amish Romance
Leslie reached out to see if I would be part of the launch team for the second book in her Letters from Lancaster County series. I enjoyed the first book so much that I said yes without hesitation.
When They Met Again by Leslie Gould
Series: Letters from Lancaster County – Book 2
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers
Publication Date: March 17, 2026
Pages: 368
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A gently humorous just friends romance from Leslie Gould, threaded with heart-deep characters and the timeless traditions of simple Amish life.
It’s love at first sight for Adam Slaybaugh, yet while Joanna Grebel finds him attractive and is intrigued when he declares his interest, she’s less certain of the potential for a romantic future together. Instead, she proposes they be “just friends,” but Adam’s not willing to settle for anything less than a romantic relationship. In response, he leaves Lancaster County for Florida, and soon after, Joanna begins courting Jacob Byer–someone she deems a much more suitable match.
When Adam returns to Lancaster County years later to pursue a career in his grandparents’ successful home renovation business, he finds Joanna suffering from a broken heart. Misunderstandings and matchmaking schemes begin a tender journey of healing and romance–but is Adam’s love enough to finally win Joanna over?
April: Psychological Thriller
How can I miss a good book from the author of my top 2025 read? Patch puts the thrill in psychological thrillers. And a little chill.
The Girl Upstairs by Jessica R. Patch
Publisher: Love Inspired Trade
Publication Date: April 28, 2026
Pages: 384
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Gwen McDaniel’s life is broken. But she knows the perfect place to fix it. Cold Harbor, Maine, an idyllic small town with views of Acadia National Park, is where she used to vacation with her parents as a child. Here, she and Steven can start over, renovating their cliff-side fixer-upper while patching up their marriage. Soon, everything will be better.
Except from the moment they arrive, Gwen sees and hears things, and it’s more than just the drafts and shadows that are part of any old house. Steven downplays her fears, warning her not to fixate on problems as she has in the past. But Gwen spent years as a homicide detective, and her instincts don’t lie. Something happened here. Proof comes when she rips up the attic’s carpet to discover a chilling message carved into the wood underneath.
As Gwen delves into the history of the house and the Cold Harbor community, she begins to piece the fragments together. And gradually, a terrifying picture emerges: A missing girl. A house of horrors. And a dark, decades-old nightmare that is more haunting than Gwen ever imagined…
May: Contemporary Romance
For years, Fisher has been a must-read author for me. I’m looking forward to continuing this series. I enjoy the glimpse into places within the U.S. that I’ve never been.
Chase the Light by Suzanne Woods Fisher
Series: National Parks Summers – Book 2
Publisher: Revell
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
Pages: 304
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She uncovered a piece of history–but can she make peace with her own?
When Acadia National Park ranger Scout Johnson discovers a weathered note near a remote lighthouse, she never imagines it will expose a century-old mystery. The cryptic message points to a forgotten shipwreck, a vanished treasure, and a lighthouse keeper’s suspicious death. Seeking answers, Scout enlists Naki Dana, a thoughtful man whose Penobscot heritage provides crucial insights. As they venture deeper into Acadia’s rugged wilderness, their unlikely partnership begins stirring feelings Scout didn’t expect to find. But they aren’t the only ones searching.
Chase Fletcher, a charming local journalist, sees this treasure hunt as his last opportunity to save his failing paper–and finds himself increasingly drawn to the ranger leading the search. With pressure mounting and loyalties tested, Scout must navigate a winding path between history and justice, truth and betrayal . . . and determine who–and what–deserves her trust.
June: Amish Romance
Gray is the other most-read author on the blog. I’m behind on this series because I overextended myself last year and it’s an excellent one. I’ll be reading C is for Courting and D is for Daisy this year.
D Is for Daisy by Shelley Shepard Gray
Series: Amish ABCs – Book 4
Publisher: Kensington
Publication Date: June 30, 2026
Pages: 304
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Early retirement never sounded so good to Mervin and Ruthie Miller. After a lifetime in Millersburg, where Mervin worked at a furniture and shed factory and Ruthie helped out at a fabric store, they have exciting plans: They’re going to become “Amish Gentlemen Farmers.” That means buying a 30-acre, ramshackle farm, and all that comes with it—no matter what their grown children, friends, and aching muscles think . . .
Aaron Miller is worried about his parents, but there’s little he can do now that he lives in Kentucky and has a baby on the way. Then his childhood best friend, Kyle Burkholder, makes a heaven-sent offer: he’ll move in with Aaron’s parents to teach them about raising cows, sheep, and chickens, and even give weekly reports to Aaron.
The arrangement is going well—until Kyle stumbles upon Daisy Lapp who’s just been in a bicycle accident. When he takes her to the hospital, he knows there’s something special between them. So does Daisy. But her something special is the fact that Kyle lives on the farm she’d always dreamed of buying one day. She knows it’s wrong, but she’s jealous. She wants nothing to do with Kyle and politely tells him so.
Still, like the Millers, Kyle’s not one to give up easily. Not on himself, not on the farm, and certainly not on Daisy. With dedication and a leap of faith, the lives they envisioned just might come true . .
While many of these are on their way to me, the others I’ll grab whenever I find the opportunity. Preferably early. NetGally I’m looking at you.
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