We don’t know about you bookworms, but we are ready for spooky season! And these August book releases are delivering on all the bone-chilling vibes! Plus we’ve got some other books for readers who are always in the mood for a good romance.
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Content warning: The Honey POP encourages mindful reading and always checking the author’s website for any additional content warnings.
The Narrow By Kate Alice Marshall
This first release is for all the ghost lovers out there! The Narrow takes place at a haunted boarding school that has a dangerous river called the Narrow. Legend has it that no one has survived falling into it, but six years ago Eden saw Delphine make it out alive. Ever since she fell, unpurified water has been deadly for Delphine so she’s lived in isolation. But when the two girls are drawn to each other Eden discovers that something has been haunting Delphine, and now she’s its next target.
Release Date: August 1
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Content Warnings: toxic relationship, domestic abuse, addiction
The List Of Things By Emma Miller
Who loves rom-coms? Well, do we have a treat for you! The List of Things by Emma Miller is about Kamryn Hart, a girl who loves all things romantic (but only fictional of course). Enter star quarterback Bellamy Archer who loves love. After their tutoring session, he presents Kamryn with a deal, the two of them will do a list of romantic things together, and he’ll try to convince her to see how fun romance can be. This sounds like such a sweet way to celebrate the end of summer!
Release Date: August 1
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True True By Don. P Hooper
Our next August release follows Gil, who feels isolated at his new private school. After all, he wouldn’t have even considered attending if it wasn’t for a chance at a better future. After a racist run leads to a fight where only Gil is suspended, Gil realizes that the school isn’t as accepting as it claims to be. This leads him to work together with the other Black students to stand up against the racist administration, students, and parents. But he soon has difficulty dedicating time to each aspect of his life and with a budding romance on the horizon, will Gil be able to balance it all? We can’t wait to follow Gil’s story to see how it all turns out!
Release Date: August 1
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Content Warnings: racism, bullying
The Last Girls Standing By Jennifer Dugan
Who’s looking for their next psychological thriller? Then you’re in luck! The Last Girls Standing by Jennifer Dugan has been pitched for fans of two of our favorite books, One of Us is Lying and A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder! It follows Sloan and Cherry, the sole surviving counselors of a summer camp that was attacked by masked men. After living through this traumatic experience, the two have a special bond. But months later new information about the ritual killing leads Sloan to question if her girlfriend Cherry may have been a part of it. Cherry denies everything but can Sloane really trust her? And will she be able to survive what comes next?
Release Date: August 15
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Content Warnings: murder, blood, violence, child abuse/death
Holly Horror By Michelle Jabès Corpora
This next release is spine-chilling! Holly Horror is the story of Evie Archer who moves to a new town in hopes of getting a fresh start after her parents’ divorce. But she soon hears stories of the dark past of her new house, about a girl named Holly who disappeared one night. And as the days pass, a strange shadow starts to follow Evie, and she begins to question what’s real.
Release Date: August 15
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Content Warnings: bullying, panic attacks/disorders, death, blood
Fracturing Fate By Sasha Alsberg
The long-awaited conclusion to the Breaking Time duology is here! After being sent back five hundred years into the past and missing Callum, Klara is left running from magical and human enemies. She’ll have to face confusing visions and dangerous magic if she wants to get back to the present and avenge the love of her life. We can’t wait to see how this thrilling adventure ends!
Release Date: August 15
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West Of The Sea By Stephanie Willing
Onto a middle-grade release! West of the Sea is a story of generational trauma with a cryptozoological twist. Our main character Haven is determined to find her mother after her disappearance, but in the process, she learns that her mom can turn into a kitskara (an amphibious creature). Not only that, but Haven is also developing this ability, and it’s one of the only clues she has left. Along with her older sister Margie and her friend Rye, the trio go on a road trip where they hope to find their mom in their late grandparents’ abandoned home. Featuring Celtic mythology and fossils, this sounds like an exciting read to kick off the end of summer with!
Release Date: August 15
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A Good Man By P.J. McIlvaine
After overcoming a troubled past and achieving stability with his family, Brooks Anderson is haunted by constant nightmares and sleepwalking. His traumatic childhood memory of his mother and brother’s senseless murder during a vacation in Montauk continues to torment him. When a journalist threatens to exploit the tragedy, Brooks decides to write his own book, despite those closest to him objecting. However, when the journalist is murdered, Brooks becomes a prime suspect. To clear his name and confront his past, he delves deep into that fateful summer, leading him down a treacherous path where he encounters the true horror of Montauk.
Release Date: August 18
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Content Warnings: Grief, death, trauma
Strange Unearthly Things By Kelly Creagh
Where are all of our Jane Eyre fans? This next release is for you! Strange Unearthly Things follows Jane Reye, a psychic artist who draws the supernatural spirits she sees. When Jane is invited to an English manor, Elias, the young owner of the estate asks her to participate in a study. But, not everything is as it seems and she’s starting to see a correlation between Elias and the spiritual activity in the manor. Will Jane be able to save him from a horrible fate?
Release Date: August 22
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Just Do This One Thing For Me By Laura Zimmermann
For her whole life, Drew has been roped into her mother’s shady side hustles and tasked with taking care of her younger siblings. But when her mother suddenly disappears, and her schemes begin to come apart, Drew has to decide if she should walk away from her mother’s mess or keep the cons to support her family. This twisty thriller mystery sounds like it’ll keep readers on their toes!
Release Date: August 22
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Together We Rot By Skyla Arndt
Our next release is all about Wil who after the police dismiss her concern after her mother’s disappearance, is convinced that her ex-best friend Elwood’s family has something to do with it. On the other hand, Elwood is dreading his 18th birthday, the day that marks when his pastor father will sacrifice him in the name of his congregation. The two make a deal, Will will hide Elwood if he can help find evidence that his family killed her mother. But they soon discover more secrets than they could have imagined and learn just what dark activities the Clarke cult has been up to. As the two grow closer, they also realize that Elwood has inhuman blood running through his veins that calls to plants. We can’t wait to read this scary horror debut!
Release Date: August 29
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Content Warnings: animal death, body horror, violence, child abuse, gore, grief
All You Have To Do By Autumn Allen
All You Have to Do follows two stories of young Black men attending schools thirty years apart. One perspective follows Kevin in 1968 soon after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination, when he participates in a protest that closes his Ivy League campus. The other follows Gibran in 1995 during the controversy of the Million Man March where he challenges the “See No Color” in his prep school. This powerful debut is high on our tbr!
Release Date: August 29
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Content Warnings: racism, violence
Pride And Prejudice And Pittsburgh By Rachael Lippincott
Looking for a sapphic romantic comedy? Then you’re in luck! Pride and Prejudice and Pittsburgh is about a girl named Audrey who after being dumped and waitlisted by her dream art school, is heartbroken. And when the local grump Mr. Montgomery says he can help, the last thing Audrey expects is to be transported back to 1812. There she meets Lucy, who doesn’t want to marry the man her father chose for her and has felt alone ever since her mother died. While trying to find a way for Audrey to get home, sparks fly between the two girls, but will this romance survive the impossible?
Release Date: August 29
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Content Warnings: sexism, misogyny, emotional abuse, biphobia, confinement, classism
A Multitude Of Dreams By Mara Rutherford
We love the royalty trope so we are so excited to read A Multitude of Dreams! Princess Imogen has been stuck in a castle for 3 years, all to keep her safe from a plague that has taken over the kingdom. With the king descending into madness, and rations dwindling, the princess is at risk of having a secret revealed. Meanwhile, a boy named Nico has lost everything because of the plague and owes his life to Lord Crane who tasks him with finding more plague survivors in the castle. When Nico and Imogen discover one another, they decide to work together, and they’ll need all of their bravery to survive the horrors coming their way.
Release Date: August 29
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Content Warnings: gore, death, violence, pandemic, blood, antisemitism
The Reunion By Kit Frick
Who doesn’t love a family mystery? In The Reunion, we follow the Mayweather family including the sister and brother duo, Addison and Mason. Frustrated with having their future stepbrother Theo included in the family vacation to Cancún, tensions rise when their cousin Natalia is added to the mix. The forced “fun” with their extended family doesn’t last long when the end of the week arrives, and one member of the reunion party is dead. We can’t wait to follow all of the drama that ensues afterward!
Release Date: August 29
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Content Warnings: murder, addiction
Which of these August book releases is on your TBR? Let us know in the comments below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPop! You can also visit us on Facebook and Instagram!
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