August 2025 TBR: The New Books I’m Most Looking Forward To

August is packed with exciting new standalone releases from a mix of familiar favourites and authors I’ve been meaning to try. In August 2025 TBR: The New Books I’m Most Looking Forward To, I’m highlighting the titles that caught my attention—whether it’s because I’ve loved the author’s previous work or I’ve heard great things and want to see what the buzz is about. From heartfelt fiction to twisty thrillers and everything in between, these new releases are at the top of my to-read list this month. Click on the book’s cover to read the full synopsis and/or add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Publishing The Week of August 5:

In The Locked Ward, adopted socialite Georgia Cartwright is accused of murdering the biological daughter of her powerful Southern family, landing her in a high-security psychiatric hospital while the media explodes with theories—jealousy, rivalry, madness. When her estranged twin sister Amanda visits, Georgia pleads for help, insisting she’s innocent. Though Amanda doesn’t trust her, she can’t leave her in the eerie institution where reality feels warped and danger lurks behind every door. As Amanda digs deeper, she must unravel whether Georgia is a victim of a twisted family cover-up—or a manipulative killer leading her into darkness. Nothing is as it seems in this chilling psychological thriller about sisterhood pushed to its limits.

Discovered at thirteen by legendary modeling agent Harriet Goldman, Birdie Rhodes quickly rose to fame as one of “Harriet’s Girls,” only to have her promising career derailed by a relationship with an older rock star. Decades later, Birdie lives a quiet, unremarkable life, having long tried to bury the memories of her turbulent youth spent chasing love, identity, and reinvention across cities and eras. But when a letter arrives inviting her to celebrate Harriet’s legacy, Birdie is forced to confront the fame, trauma, and choices that shaped—and nearly destroyed—her. Told across dual timelines, this powerful debut explores the price of being seen too young and the resilience it takes to reclaim your story.

Eva Kitt never imagined her journalism dreams would lead to hosting Sausage Talk, a quirky show interviewing B-list celebs over hot dogs. But when her on-air rant about her college ex, now-famous influencer Rylie Cooper, goes viral, she’s suddenly back in the spotlight. Rylie, who’s built his brand on combating toxic masculinity, proposes a public redemption arc: a series of dates with Eva, followed by honest debriefs on his channel to prove he’s changed. Eva reluctantly agrees—not to help him, but to boost her own career and expose him further. Yet as their staged outings turn unexpectedly genuine, Eva begins to question whether the man who once hurt her could now be the one to heal her.

Publishing The Week Of August 12:

Lorna has spent her life burdened by guilt over her sister Kristen’s lifelong addiction, which overshadowed her childhood and left her mistrustful and emotionally isolated. Now an adult, she lives a quiet, guarded life with only her dog for company—until an unexpected friendship with Bean, a wise and winsome eight-year-old neighbor, begins to crack her tough exterior. When an opportunity arises to buy her beloved grandmother’s house, Lorna must confront the painful memories and betrayals of her past as part of a trust agreement. Guided by Bean’s innocent insight, she begins to re-examine her past, discovering that not everything happened the way she remembered. In accepting that she couldn’t have saved Kristen, Lorna finds the strength to forgive herself and start rewriting her own future—on her own terms.

Violet Adams, the youngest and most traditional member of a spirited family of women on Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, finds herself unmoored after a sudden breakup and personal tragedy. With the support of her best friend Aly Knox—a young influencer grieving her own mother and adjusting to Southern life—Violet sets out to rediscover herself. Determined to break free from the role she’s always played, Violet searches for meaning, success, and maybe even love in the heart of the Lowcountry.

As children, Chloe Hanako Quinn and Oliver Jones formed a deep bond through a pen pal assignment—one that mysteriously began when he heard a whispered note she tucked into her letter. Their friendship blossomed into something more, until tragedy tore them apart. Over twenty years later, Chloe is a struggling high school guidance counselor in New York City, facing layoffs, rising rent, and emotional isolation. To lift her spirits, she writes encouraging messages on yellow origami roses, eventually leaving them around the city to inspire others. Meanwhile, Oliver, now a successful but haunted financial analyst, unexpectedly discovers one of Chloe’s roses—rekindling a connection that may change both of their lives forever.

Publishing The Week of August 19:

Carly Porter, an accountant and freelance personal stylist scarred by her father’s gambling, knows the cost of risky bets—but she takes one anyway when she teams up with her best friend Sasha to save a struggling fashion magazine by giving a high-profile makeover to Sasha’s brother, Brooks. Once a carefree party guy, Brooks is now a withdrawn physician haunted by past loss, but he agrees to the project to support his sister. As Carly works to revive Brooks’s image, the real transformation happens between them, sparking an unexpected connection that threatens Carly’s professional dreams. To find happiness, both must confront old wounds—and take a chance on love.

Publishing The Week of August 26:

From the bestselling author of PS I Love You comes a heartwarming story about stepping out of the shadows and into your own life. For years, quiet and reserved Pip has hidden away her dreams, folding herself into the small, safe world she knows—until an unexpected friendship with a local astronomer opens her eyes to the vastness of the universe and the possibilities it holds. As she learns to look up and outward, Pip begins to believe that there might be more waiting for her—love, connection, and a life she never thought she could have—if she can find the courage to reach for it.

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Whether you’re building your own August TBR or just browsing for your next great read, I hope August 2025 TBR: The New Books I’m Most Looking Forward To gives you some inspiration. I’d love to hear which new releases you’re looking forward to this month—drop your picks in the comments! Here’s to a month of great books and even better reading moments!