Most Anticipated Books of February 2026

If you thought January was just the warm-up act for the 2026 literary calendar, you’d be absolutely right. February is here, and despite being the shortest month of the year, it is packing a serious punch in the publishing world. From cozy fantasies involving magical cat shelters to high-octane sci-fi battles piloted by gamers, this month’s lineup is eclectic, bold, and dangerous for anyone trying to stick to a book-buying budget. Whether you are looking to swoon over a snowy romance, get your heart rate up with a psychological thriller, or lose yourself in a historical drama that spans continents, this list has something for every kind of reader. We have shuffled the deck to bring you a fresh look at the twelve titles we simply cannot wait to get our hands on. Clear some shelf space—here are the most anticipated books of February 2026.

Keeper of Lost Children — by Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson returns with Keeper of Lost Children, a novel that blends historical depth with emotional resonance. Set against the backdrop of a fractured American South, the story follows a woman who inherits her grandmother’s legacy as a caretaker for those society has forgotten. When lost letters and fragmented memories surface, she embarks on a journey that unearths family secrets older than she ever imagined. With lyrical prose and an evocative sense of place, Johnson crafts a moving portrait of resilience, identity, and the ties that bind us across generations.

This book balances historical reflection with intimate character work, inviting readers to step into a world where every clue leads deeper into the heart of loss — and ultimately, healing. Fans of thoughtful literary fiction will appreciate the careful attention to cultural nuance and emotional candor, while anyone drawn to powerful family sagas will find their next favorite here.

It’s Not Her — by Mary Kubica

Renowned for her twisty domestic thrillers, Mary Kubica delivers another chilling page-turner with It’s Not Her. When Courtney Gray arrives for what should be a peaceful family retreat, the nightmare begins: her brother and sister-in-law are found brutally murdered, and her niece has vanished without a trace. Small-town secrets unravel quickly, and every friendly face could be hiding a motive. What starts as grief becomes an obsessive hunt for truth — and a battle against time.

Kubica’s mastery of suspense lies not just in her shocking reveals but in her richly drawn characters, and It’s Not Her is no exception. Courtney’s fight to uncover the truth becomes as much about confronting her own past as it is about solving a mystery. If you love atmospheric thrillers that keep you guessing until the final page, this one’s at the top of February’s must-read list.

The Astral Library — by Kate Quinn

In The Astral Library, bestselling author Kate Quinn departs from her historical epics to offer something utterly magical and heartfelt. Alexandria “Alix” Watson has always found solace in books, her closest companions through a tough childhood in foster care. But when she uncovers a hidden portal in the Boston Public Library, she stumbles into the Astral Library — a realm where beloved stories live, breathe, and transform.

Yet this world is under threat. A powerful force seeks to corrupt the sanctuary of imagination, and Alix must race through iconic literary landscapes to protect the books she loves and the friends she’s made along the way. Equal parts tribute to storytelling and high-stakes adventure, Quinn’s novel is a dream for bibliophiles and fantasy fans alike.

Throne of Nightmares — by Kerri Maniscalco (Prince of Sin #3)

Bestselling author Kerri Maniscalco’s latest, Throne of Nightmares, pushes the boundaries of her lush romantasy style with whimsical imagination and high adventure. In the third installment of the Prince of Sin series, Prince Sloth — a deity with a fierce love for books — is forced to leave the sanctuary of his enchanted library when new threats arise in the Underworld. Paired with Lore Brimstone, a mortal with her own mysterious powers, Sloth embarks on a quest that blurs the boundaries between dreams and reality, love and danger.

The novel is a love letter to readers who have ever been swept away by a story. Maniscalco’s vivid worldbuilding and playful homage to beloved fantasy tropes deliver both emotional stakes and whimsical wonder. Fans of intricate magic systems and endearing, enemies-to-lovers dynamics will find Throne of Nightmares irresistible.

And Now, Back to You — by B.K. Borison (Heartstrings #2)

Following the success of the first Heartstrings novel, B.K. Borison returns with And Now, Back to You, a contemporary romance filled with charm, heart, and irresistible chemistry. This sequel picks up with familiar characters whose lives have been shaped by love, loss, and the beautiful messiness of relationships. When past choices circle back into the present, both protagonists must decide whether their shared history is a bond worth revisiting — or a wound best left untouched.

Borison’s warm, witty voice makes this more than just a love story; it’s a story about growth, forgiveness, and the way second chances can redefine what we thought we knew about ourselves — and each other. Readers who relish heartfelt relationships and emotional payoff will be drawn to this touching and relatable tale.

Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter — by Heather Fawcett

Step into Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter, an enchanting romanstasy that’s part spellbook, part cozy mystery. Agnes has a gift — or some would say a curse — for understanding cats in ways that defy science. When a neglected shelter is handed down to her, she discovers that its furry residents possess uncanny abilities, from speaking when humans aren’t looking to guiding lost souls. As Agnes digs into the shelter’s secrets, she uncovers an unexpected connection between these mystical cats and her own destiny.

Heather Fawcett blends whimsy with heartfelt storytelling, offering readers a book that feels like comfort food for the imagination. Cat lovers and fantasy readers alike will delight in the quirky personalities and subtle magic that define this story. It’s a warm, playful adventure about found family, magical realism, and the small wonders hiding in everyday life.

Where the Wildflowers Grow — by Terah Shelton Harris

Where the Wildflowers Grow promises a tender, evocative journey through love, loss, and renewal. Terah Shelton Harris weaves a narrative centered on a protagonist returning to her small hometown after years away, only to find the landscape — both physical and emotional — changed in unexpected ways. Wildflowers bloom in fields once forgotten, echoing the possibility of new beginnings and the courage it takes to let go of old hurts.

This novel is about the quiet power of nature to reflect inner transformation. With graceful prose and a soulful emotional arc, Harris reminds us that love and healing often begin in places we least expect — like the open fields where wildflowers take hold. It’s perfect for readers who savor reflective, character-driven fiction.

Wicked Onyx — by Debbie Cassidy (The Veritas Legacy #1)

Debbie Cassidy opens a bold new romanstasy series with Wicked Onyx, where dark academia meets forbidden magic. In an elite academy hidden from the mundane world, secrets lie beneath stone arches and moonlit corridors. When a brilliant but guarded student unearths an ancient artifact — the Onyx of Veritas — she discovers that the power to reveal truth comes with a price. As alliances shift and hidden loyalties emerge, she must navigate political intrigue, growing attraction, and forces that threaten to tear the academy apart.

Cassidy’s foray into this richly imagined world promises dark twists, simmering chemistry, and a heroine whose moral compass may be the key to preventing catastrophe. Fans of atmospheric fantasy with intellectual depth and romantic tension will want to add this to their February TBR.

The Wild Card — by Stephanie Archer (Vancouver Storm #5)

In the fifth entry of her Vancouver Storm series, Stephanie Archer delivers another high-octane blend of action, suspense, and heart. The Wild Card reunites readers with familiar faces from previous installments while introducing new threats that test loyalties and push characters to their limits. As a devastating storm bears down on the city, alliances shift, and secrets long buried begin to surface.

Readers who love urban fantasy with bold worldbuilding and sweeping ensemble casts will find this installment both satisfying and full of surprises. Archer’s talent for balancing broader mythic threads with intimate moments of vulnerability makes The Wild Card a standout in the series.

Queen of Faces — by Petra Lord (Queen of Faces #1)

Petra Lord’s Queen of Faces launches a vivid new fantasy series steeped in political intrigue and transformative magic. In a realm where every person’s face reflects inner truth — and masks can conceal far more than they reveal — an unexpected contender rises: a young woman whose face shifts with her emotions, defying centuries of tradition. Deemed unfit for court politics yet uniquely gifted, she must navigate treacherous factions, hidden identities, and a looming threat that could unmake the very fabric of her kingdom.

Lord’s debut in this mythic landscape blends character complexity with grand stakes, offering readers a heroine whose strength lies in her vulnerability — and a world where secrets are currency. With sharp worldbuilding and emotional resonance, Queen of Faces will appeal to fantasy lovers craving fresh ideas and fierce protagonists.

Heir of Illusion — by Madeline Taylor (Verran Isles #1)

Madeline Taylor steps into epic fantasy with Heir of Illusion, a sprawling tale of power, prophecy, and the fragile line between destiny and choice. In the Verran Isles, magic is a legacy — and the rightful heir to the throne is believed lost to history. When an unlikely young woman discovers she possesses forbidden magic thought extinct, she becomes entangled in courtly plots, ancient feuds, and the awakening of an old power that could remake the world.

With lush settings, layered political drama, and a protagonist whose journey is as internal as it is external, Taylor crafts a fantasy epic that feels both classic and refreshing. Heir of Illusion captures the imagination, delivering intrigue and high stakes from the first chapter to the last.

Operation Bounce House — by Matt Dinniman

Blending adventure with imaginative worldbuilding, Operation Bounce House by Matt Dinniman is a standout genre mash-up that’s as unpredictable as its title. Set in a world where physics has fractured — cities float, time bends, and landscapes shift like dreams — a motley crew of heroes must undertake the “bounce house” mission: infiltrate a mysterious fortress that defies all known laws of reality. With humor, heart, and a kinetic sense of fun, Dinniman constructs a narrative that’s equal parts fantasy and speculative twist.

This novel is perfect for readers who delight in boundary-pushing adventure and quirky, original storytelling. Expect wild set pieces, inventive use of magical mechanics, and characters whose bonds prove the only constant in a world defined by chaos.