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As someone who works with writers in the pre-publication stage, you guys don’t know how happy it makes me whenever I see debut works.
I love it when an author takes that step forward to bring their dreams to reality, and this year, we’re getting some amazing ones.
2025 is definitely going to be one for the books.
While compiling this list of the best debut works by new authors, I was so amazed.
I made an effort to include books from different genres, and after reading the synopses, I’m so excited for all of them.
I just have a feeling I’m going to enjoy every single one.
I may not be able to read them all, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for reviews and reader discussions.
They all sound so good right now, and I think everyone will love them.
So if you love supporting new authors who are taking their first steps into publishing and want to read something fresh this year, these 2025 debut books are a must-read.
1. Nesting by Roisin O’Donnell

Publication Date: February 18th, 2025
On a regular spring afternoon in Dublin, Ciara grabs her daughters, jumps into her car, and drives away.
Home isn’t safe anymore, and she knows she has to leave. But escaping isn’t as easy as she hoped.
With no job, little money, and nowhere to go, she ends up in a hotel room, trying to keep her kids safe while her husband, Ryan, does everything he can to bring her back.
This one sounds like it’ll break your heart in the best way. It’s a story of resilience, motherhood, and finding a way forward when everything feels impossible.
2. Those Fatal Flowers by Shannon Ives

Publication Date: January 21st, 2025
Thelia used to be one of Proserpina’s handmaidens, but when she made a terrible mistake, she and her sisters were cursed to become sirens.
Now, after centuries of luring sailors to their deaths, Thelia has a second chance on Roanoke, a place filled with its own dangers.
But is she willing to return to her past to save the ones she left behind?
This sounds like a breathtaking combo of mythology, history, and revenge.
With sapphic love and fierce female rage at its core, this one is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint.
3. The Lamb by Lucy Rose

Publication Date: January 30th, 2025
Margot has only ever known life with Mama, living in their little cottage near the forest.
Mama takes in strays – people who wander too far from the road – and she cares for them until she doesn’t.
When a new stray named Eden arrives, Margot starts to question everything she’s ever been told.
Dark, gothic, and filled with tension, this one promises to be an eerie coming-of-age story about family, desire, and survival.
Definitely one for readers who love unsettling, atmospheric books.
4. The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine

Publication Date: June 19th, 2025
Three women, three powerful lives, and one scandal that ties them all together.
Frankie, Miriam, and Bronagh are all mothers of 18-year-old boys.
They don’t know each other, but when their sons are accused of assaulting a girl from a less privileged background, they’ll do whatever it takes to protect their children.
This sounds like one of those books that will have you yelling at the pages.
A sharp, timely story about class, privilege, and motherhood, I can already see it sparking some big conversations.
5. Confessions by Catherine Airey

Publication Date: January 14th, 2025
This story spans generations, from 1970s Ireland to 2001 New York and beyond.
In the aftermath of 9/11, Cora Brady discovers a long-lost family connection in Ireland, sparking a journey into her family’s hidden past.
Decades earlier, two sisters in a mysterious artist commune made choices that would ripple through time, shaping Cora’s life in ways she never expected.
I love a multigenerational story with deep, buried secrets, and this one sounds like a beautifully tangled web of past and present.
6. A Family Matter by Claire Lynch

Publication Date: June 3rd, 2025
Dawn is a young mother in the 1980s when she falls for Hazel, a woman who changes everything.
But she has a family, and life isn’t that simple.
Decades later, Heron is facing a life-changing diagnosis and struggling to tell his daughter, Maggie, about the secrets he’s kept for so many years.
This book looks like it will be beautifully heartbreaking, weaving love, loss, and family over decades.
If you love character-driven stories that tug at your heart, this one’s for you.
7. This is Not a Game by Kelly Mullen

Publication Date: April 8th, 2025
A snowed-in mansion, a suspicious murder, and a grandmother-granddaughter duo who must solve the crime – this one sounds like so much fun.
Mimi and Addie weren’t expecting their weekend at a fancy party to turn into a real-life whodunit.
But when the host ends up dead, they have no choice but to play detective.
With Addie’s game design skills and Mimi’s love for puzzles, they’ll have to outsmart a killer before it’s too late.
A locked-room mystery with a fun grandmother-granddaughter duo? Sign me up!
8. The Wardrobe Department by Elaine Garvey

Publication Date: February 13th, 2025
Mairéad spends her days stitching, mending, and running errands in a London theater’s wardrobe department, but her heart is still back home in Ireland.
Between dodging backstage bullies and questioning the life she’s built, she’s caught between her past and her future.
This sounds like a deeply personal, heartfelt story about identity, ambition, and belonging.
If you love character-driven books with warmth and honesty, this one’s for you.
9. The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr

Publication Date: February 6th, 2025
One stormy day in 1973, a fisherman finds a baby on the beach and decides to raise him as his own.
As Brendan grows up, he becomes a symbol of hope and change in a small Irish town struggling to keep up with the times.
But being the boy from the sea isn’t always easy, and finding where he truly belongs may be his greatest challenge.
This sounds like a beautifully written, moving story about love, community, and identity – one that will probably leave you in tears (in the best way).
10. Needy Little Things by Channelle Desamours

Publication Date: February 4th, 2025
Sariyah has a rare ability – she can sense exactly what people need.
It’s always been a small, helpful skill, until the day she gives her friend Deja something and Deja disappears.
When the police and media don’t seem to care about yet another missing Black girl, Sariyah takes matters into her own hands.
But as she digs deeper, she realizes her ability might be leading her straight into the same danger.
This YA mystery sounds gripping, emotional, and so important.
A story about friendship, justice, and fighting to be heard, I can already tell this one will be hard to put down.
11. This Is the Year by Gloria Muñoz

Publication Date: January 7th, 2025
Julieta has had enough.
Her Florida home is falling apart from climate disasters, her twin sister is gone, and she feels stuck.
But when a secretive space program offers her a chance to leave everything behind and start fresh on the Moon, she grabs it.
As she trains for this big mission, though, something unexpected happens.
She soon starts finding hope in the very place she was so desperate to escape.
New friends, unexpected love, and a growing sense of purpose make her question everything.
Should she stay and fight for her community or follow her dream to leave?
Told in a mix of prose and poetry, this powerful YA novel blends climate fiction, grief, and hope in a way that feels deeply real.
12. Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

Publication Date: March 4th, 2025
A quiet English village, a past that won’t stay buried, and a love triangle with deadly consequences – this novel has it all.
Beth thought she left her past behind, but when an old flame, Gabriel, returns to town, everything changes.
His son reminds her of the child she lost, and soon, long-buried emotions resurface.
But love, jealousy, and secrets make for a dangerous mix, and when the truth starts unraveling, someone ends up dead.
This one promises passion, mystery, and the kind of slow-burning tension that keeps you flipping pages late into the night.
13. Notes on Infinity by Austin Taylor

Publication Date: June 3rd, 2025
Zoe and Jack, two brilliant Harvard students, stumble upon something groundbreaking – the cure for aging.
Dropping out of college, they chase success, fame, and the promise of immortality.
But with great ambition comes even greater risks, and soon, they’re caught in a whirlwind of accusations that threaten everything they’ve built.
This debut is equal parts love story, ethical dilemma, and thrilling race for discovery.
It sounds like one of those books that make you question how far you’d go for success and whether some dreams are worth the cost.
14. Mistress of Bones by Maria Z. Medina

Publication Date: August 5th, 2025
A necromancer trying to bring her sister back to life. A deadly game with the gods. A world of floating continents and magic.
Azul doesn’t care about destiny – she just wants her sister back.
But when her quest puts her in the path of the Emissary of Death (who, inconveniently, is both her enemy and extremely attractive), she’s pulled into a bigger fight than she ever imagined.
As gods demand their lost bones and a kingdom teeters on the edge of chaos, Azul must decide just how far she’s willing to go for the people she loves.
This is the kind of fantasy I live for – epic, dramatic, a little romantic, and full of adventure.
15. The Enemy’s Daughter by Melissa Poett

Publication Date: May 6th, 2025
A Tristan and Isolde-inspired romance set in a crumbling world of magic and war? Yes, please!
Isadora is a healer, but her people are locked in a deadly feud with Kingsland.
Tristan is the enemy prince, trained to destroy her people.
But when fate forces them together through a magical bond, everything they’ve been taught starts to unravel.
As war looms and betrayal lurks, Isadora must decide where her loyalty – and her heart – truly lie.
If you love slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance with high stakes, this YA romantasy sounds like a dream.
16. The History of Everything by Victoria Evans

Publication Date: February 18th, 2025
Best friends Daisy and Agnes have always been inseparable until now.
When Agnes learns she’s moving away at the end of the summer, they create the ultimate bucket list to make every moment count.
But as new relationships and insecurities creep in, they start to wonder if their friendship is built to last.
This heartfelt YA graphic novel explores what it means to grow up and grow apart.
Perfect for fans of coming-of-age stories that capture the bittersweetness of change.
17. The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff

Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025
Ryan and Lillian’s marriage was built on love, but also on secrets – his addiction, her hidden past.
Their daughter, Georgette, grows up watching their love unravel.
Years later, when an estranged family member reappears, Georgette is forced to confront everything she thought she knew about her family.
Told through multiple perspectives, this is a sweeping, emotional story about love, loss, and finding your way back to the people who matter most.
And if you love multi-generational family sagas, this one sounds like a heartbreaker in the best way.
18. Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall

Publication Date: June 10th, 2025
When Jim Tiernan, the owner of the White Hart pub, is found dead in the middle of the road with stag antlers on his head, the whole town is shaken.
Detective Nicola Bridge, who grew up in this quiet coastal village, knows there’s more to this crime than meets the eye.
As she digs deeper, she realizes the people she thought she knew best might be hiding something deadly.
From the creator of Broadchurch, this mystery is perfect for fans of twisty, small-town crime stories where everyone is a suspect.
19. Unlock the Dark by Sasa Hawk

Publication Date: February 25th, 2025
Elia’s magic lets her open doors to anywhere but she’s trapped in a life she never wanted.
With her father dying and her family in danger, she makes a desperate deal with a bookish prince named Trys.
In exchange for helping him find a legendary scroll, he’ll marry her, giving her and her siblings a safe future.
But when Trys reads the scroll, everything changes – he transforms into something monstrous.
To save him, Elia must venture into the heart of darkness itself.
A lush, romantic fantasy filled with magic, danger, and impossible choices, this one sounds like the kind of book you get lost in completely.
20. The Names by Florence Knapp

Publication Date: May 6th, 2025
Can a name change the course of a life?
After a devastating storm, Cora heads to register her newborn son’s name.
Her husband, a controlling man, expects her to name the baby after him.
But when the moment arrives, Cora hesitates and what happens next shapes not just her life, but her son’s as well.
Told through three alternate versions of their futures, this novel is a thought-provoking, emotional journey about family, identity, and the power of choice.
If you love stories that explore what if?, this one sounds like a must-read.
21. Fair Play by Louise Hegarty

Publication Date: April 8th, 2025
If you love classic detective stories but want something with a modern twist, Fair Play is one to read.
It starts with a glamorous New Year’s Eve murder mystery party, complete with champagne, hors d’oeuvres, and more than a little drama.
But when the guests wake up the next morning, one of them – Benjamin – is dead.
His sister Abigail is left reeling, and things take an even stranger turn when a real detective arrives, complete with a butler, a gardener, and a housekeeper who weren’t there before.
Now, everyone’s a suspect, and Abigail has to figure out not only what happened to her brother but also how to put herself back together after such a devastating loss.
This one promises to be both a sharp and playful mystery and a heartfelt story about grief.
If you love a classic whodunit but want something fresh and emotional, Fair Play sounds like a perfect pick.
22. If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal

Publication Date: April 22nd, 2025
Rochelle The Shell Coleman has her future planned: be valedictorian, get into Wharton, and, most importantly, beat her rival Amira Rodriguez.
But when she realizes her college application needs a little extra sparkle, she takes a job at a Black-owned movie theater only to find out Amira works there too as her boss.
Forced to spend time together, Rochelle starts to see Amira in a new way (cue the romantic tension!).
But when the theater is suddenly at risk, they have to team up to save it. Will they succeed? And will Rochelle admit her growing feelings for Amira?
This sounds like an absolute delight – rivals-to-lovers with a dash of mystery and a lot of heart.
23. We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown

Publication Date: February 20th, 2025
Rach, Kel, and Shaz have been best friends forever, growing up in a rough Yorkshire town in the ‘90s.
They’ve shared everything – first kisses, bad decisions, and whispered secrets.
But as they get older, their paths start to split, and one long-buried truth threatens to break their bond forever.
Told in a vivid Yorkshire dialect, this coming-of-age story is messy, raw, and deeply real.
It reminds me of books like Trainspotting or Shuggie Bain, where tough lives are brought to life with heart and humor.
If you love stories about the unbreakable (and sometimes painful) ties of friendship, this one is for you.
24. Run Like a Girl by Amaka Egbe

Publication Date: July 3rd, 2025
Dera Edwards has just been dropped into a world where she doesn’t belong – living with her distant father in a mostly white suburb, stuck at a school with no girls’ track team.
But she refuses to give up on her Olympic dreams.
If there’s no team, she’ll just have to run with the boys.
Of course, not everyone is thrilled about that.
Between her hostile teammates, online trolls, and a growing spotlight on her story, Dera is struggling to keep up.
And when her rocky relationship with her dad makes things worse, she has to decide: keep pushing forward, or let it all go?
This sounds like a powerful, inspiring read about resilience, identity, and proving people wrong.
25. Capitana by Cassandra James

Publication Date: February 4th, 2025
Ximena Reale has spent years training to become a Cazador – a pirate hunter.
But no matter how skilled she is, her family’s past as pirates still haunts her.
So when the empire’s queen is kidnapped by a legendary pirate, Ximena sees her chance: bring back the queen, capture the pirate, and finally earn her place.
The catch? She’s competing against Dante deLeon, an infuriating (but undeniably handsome) rival.
Their mission takes them across dangerous seas, but as they get closer to their goal, Ximena has to wonder – can she outrun her own past?
With sword fights, high-stakes adventure, and a simmering romance, this one sounds perfect for fans of Daughter of the Pirate King.
If you love stories about fierce heroines, legendary quests, and enemies-to-lovers tension, Capitana is calling your name!
26. Confessions by Catherine Airey

Publication Date: January 14th, 2025
Spanning from 1970s Ireland to post-9/11 New York and beyond, Confessions follows a tangled family history filled with art, activism, and mystery.
When Lyca Brady starts digging into her family’s past, she finds hidden letters, forgotten video games, and secrets that might change everything she thought she knew.
This sounds like a beautifully layered novel about family, fate, and the way the past never really stays buried.
And it’s perfect for fans of multigenerational sagas with a touch of mystery.
27. Sweet Fury by Sash Bischoff

Publication Date: January 7th, 2025
Lila Crayne seems to have it all – a dream fiancé, a starring role in a feminist retelling of Tender Is the Night, and a perfect Hollywood life.
But when she starts digging into her past with the help of a therapist, things begin to unravel.
Everyone has secrets, and in a world where image is everything, it’s hard to know who to trust.
Sweet Fury promises a twisty psychological thriller set in the film industry, with power, revenge, and the blurred lines between victim and villain.
If you love stories that keep you guessing, this looks like a dark and gripping read.
28. Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill

Publication Date: February 25th, 2025
Jenny Greenteeth is a monster – a lake-dwelling creature with sharp teeth and a hunger for human flesh.
But when a witch named Temperance is thrown into her lake, Jenny makes an unusual choice: she saves her.
Now, these two unlikely allies must work together to fight an evil that threatens both the lake and the world beyond.
Along the way, they’ll form a found family, battle dark forces, and uncover secrets hidden beneath the water.
This cozy fantasy sounds so unique and charming – folklore, witches, and a lovable lake monster? Yes, please!
29. Bochica by Carolina Flórez-Cerchiaro

Publication Date: May 13th, 2025
In 1920s Colombia, Antonia’s family moves into La Casona, a grand mansion near the legendary Salto del Tequendama waterfall.
But the house is full of shadows, and tragedy strikes when Antonia’s mother dies in a mysterious fall.
Years later, La Casona is turned into a hotel, and Antonia returns and she is determined to uncover the truth about her mother’s death.
Was it an accident? A suicide? Or something even darker?
As Antonia pieces together the past, she risks becoming another victim of La Casona’s chilling secrets.
This debut gothic horror has all the ingredients of a hauntingly atmospheric read – family secrets, eerie mansions, and a touch of the supernatural.
30. A Language of Dragons by S. F. Williamson

Publication Date: January 2nd, 2025
In an alternate 1920s London, dragons soar through the skies, and war is brewing.
Vivian Featherswallow has one goal: secure an internship in dragon language translation and create a better future for her sister.
But when her parents are arrested and her world falls apart, she’s forced into a dangerous new role – cracking secret dragon codes for the war effort.
As Vivian dives deeper into the mysterious language of dragons, she realizes she’s caught in something far bigger than she ever imagined.
With hidden enemies, unexpected allies, and an epic slow-burn romance, she must decide: what war is she truly fighting?
This one sounds like a thrilling blend of dark academia, espionage, and fantasy – like Bletchley Park meets dragons with a dash of romance. I’m hooked.
There are some truly incredible debuts this year! Which ones are calling to you the most?
If you’re looking to support new authors and explore exciting new stories, this is the perfect list to start with.
If you want more recommendations, don’t forget to check out my other posts on the best books turned into movies in 2025.
And if you’ve read or are excited about any debut works this year, I’d love to hear about them, so drop a comment below and share your thoughts.