The best books of 2026

This list is part of the best books of 2026.

Join 164 readers and share your 3 favorite reads of the year.

My favorite read in 2026

Book cover of Turn Back Time

Catherine Yardley ❤️ loved this book because...

Eleanor's book is original, exciting, and says so much about womanhood.

The premise of Turn Back Time immediately hooked me. It takes a genuine issue: ageing and the terrible standards women are held to, and handles it in an enjoyable, witty, and light way. There is no heavy-handed lecture here. Just a brilliant book with characters you fall in love with, and a story that hooks you. For a book which handles big topics, it leaves you thinking long after you have read the last page. I could not put this book down.

Turn Back Time also gives you an insider’s view of being a beauty journalist. Eleanor Tucker is a huge talent, and I predict huge things from her. This hilarious and fun book is one of my favourite books of the year.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Originality
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down

By Eleanor Tucker ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Turn Back Time as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it?You could look 20 years younger. Would you do it? 47-year-old beauty journalist Erica Pells is over the 'pro-ageing' articles she is exclusively asked to write (apart from the punny headlines that no one appreciates). Frankly, she's over most things; getting older, heavy contouring and boring old Wiltshire. So when her former editor gives her the opportunity to try a revolutionary hi-tech beauty treatment called WULT (Woke Up Like This), that promises to make you look 20 years younger, she jumps at the chance. What has she got to lose, anyway?…


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My 2nd favorite read in 2026

Book cover of Before I Disappear

Catherine Yardley ❤️ loved this book because...

This is an absolutely brilliant book. I was obsessed and could not put it down. It takes the whole memory loss trope which I usually find to convenient, and makes it original and brilliant. This was multi-layered and I was totally invested.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Emotions
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down

By Cate Quinn ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Before I Disappear as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

From the acclaimed author of The Clinic and The Bridesmaid comes a pulse pounding thriller following a criminologist who wakes in a remote motel with no memory of how she got there, or the people who claim they will protect her.

Criminologist April Anderson wakes up in a remote motel with a new name, a new identity, and absolutely no memory of how she got there. Told she's under police protection as the victim of a disturbing crime, she'll have to stand as a witness on a major trial that she knows nothing about. April isn't sure who to trust…


My 3rd favorite read in 2026

Book cover of All I Want for Christmas Is Hugh

Catherine Yardley ❤️ loved this book because...

Everything is perfect about this book. First of all, it has disability representation as the lead character has FND. A character that has seizures, and is written as a well-rounded happy person with a life. Then there is the love interest, loved him. The story is brilliant, everything is brilliant. An absolute perfect book. No notes.

  • Loved Most

    🥇 Character(s) 🥈 Writing
  • Writing style

    ❤️ Loved it
  • Pace

    🐇 I couldn't put it down

By Julia Boggio ,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked All I Want for Christmas Is Hugh as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

'A sweet, sassy, singular, insightful Christmas treat' Milly Johnson

When Henrietta Whitaker moves from New Jersey to the beautiful cobbled streets of Chelsea, it is with one goal; to find the Englishman of her dreams and live out her very own rom-com.

Henrietta grew up obsessing over 90's movies, especially those starring the quintessential British actor Hugh Grant. Now she's fully convinced that what she needs in her life is her own floppy-haired Brit. With his eloquent speech, sparkling wit and gentlemanly manners, what girl wouldn't want to date a man like that?

In her local cafe Henrietta sets eyes…


Don‘t forget about my book 😀

The Mothers of SW19

By Catherine Yardley ,

Book cover of The Mothers of SW19

What is my book about?

Two women battle to be the Queen of their social circle amidst the drama of the school gate in this modern Vanity Fair tale of class, motherhood and friendship.

Unassuming Emma, a blogger turned wannabe social media influencer, moves to an exclusive enclave in SW19 to get her son into the best school in the area. On the first day of school, she bumps into Annabel, a gregarious journalist who is head of the PTA.

An unfortunate misunderstanding leads to a clash, and the school gate mothers taking sides. Emma’s world has been blown apart by motherhood. As she struggles to find her new identity, she has to defend herself against Annabel and her clique. The mean girls with mortgages.

Emma learns a devastating secret about Annabel that could destroy her entire life. Will Emma play dirty to win, and what lengths will Annabel go to protect what she has?

There can only be one winner. But what will be the cost?

Book cover of Turn Back Time
Book cover of Before I Disappear
Book cover of All I Want for Christmas Is Hugh

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