New Release Tuesday: October 20, 2026
Haunted hearts, wicked magic & holiday happy endings
Spooky season meets holiday reading in this week’s new arrivals at Romantasy Bookstore. We’ve got ghostly love stories, dangerous bargains, dark academia, and festive romances full of complicated feelings. Whether you’re reaching for a cozy Christmas escape or something a little wicked, here’s what to add to your TBR.
Whiskey Burn (Deluxe Edition) — Ava Hunter
After witnessing a murder, dancer Delilah Grant flees to Montana and hides at the Weston family’s ranch and whiskey business. Suspicious former bull rider Cole Weston knows she’s keeping secrets, but resisting her becomes harder the longer she stays. When her past catches up with her, their growing attraction turns into a fight for survival.
Land of Ghosts — E L James
Following a devastating loss, a fresh start in London offers little comfort—until an unexpected connection raises an impossible question: can you fall in love with a ghost? E L James explores grief, longing, and a romance that reaches beyond the boundaries of life and death.
A Married Little Christmas — Abby Jimenez
Three holiday novellas deliver fake dating, unexpected attraction, and plenty of Christmas chaos. From a disastrous family dinner to a zombie Santa’s surprising connection with his server and a whirlwind wedding that sparks another romance, this collection offers three chances to fall in love. Bonus recipes and illustrations make it an extra-festive treat.
Christmas Staycation — Meghan Quinn
Taran agrees to a fake engagement with her ex to keep her family’s Christmas running smoothly—but his brother Nolan has other ideas. The cocky baseball player sees through her people-pleasing and wants to show her she deserves more. Family expectations, inconvenient chemistry, and holiday secrets make this trip to Kringletown anything but peaceful.
The Undertow of Evelyn Graymore — Matteo Franco
Murdered and left in Puget Sound, Evelyn Graymore is reborn as a siren after making a bargain with a mysterious man of shadows. Her new powers give her a chance at revenge, but the curse comes with a devastating condition: falling in love could destroy her lover. Female rage, forbidden attraction, and dangerous bargains launch the Hearts of the Drowned series.
The Tarot Trials — Katee Robert
Kestrel enters a deadly magical tournament determined to uncover why her mother was executed after winning it years earlier. As the new Champion of the Moon, she must master shadow and illusion while navigating shifting alliances and ruthless opponents. This epic fantasy launches a new series where power is the prize—and betrayal is always a possibility.
Wild Wicked Mate — Laurie Gilmore
Phoebe never planned to fall for Theo, the handsome werewolf who’s been part of her life for years. Theo has finally found a fresh start in Maple Hollow and fears risking it, but a road trip makes their long-denied attraction impossible to ignore. Friends-to-lovers romance, forced proximity, and small-town magic make this a tempting fall read.
The Italian Obsession — T L Swan
Olivia’s first encounter with Enrico Ferrara in Italy ends in heartbreak when circumstances separate them. Two years later, she returns for a fashion career and discovers the man she loved has become colder, more powerful, and far more dangerous. Their rekindled passion draws her into a world of obsession, enemies, and a formidable family empire.
Succubus — Kate Fox
New Jersey doula Tempest Dunlap loves romance novels but has sworn off her own love story: every man she kisses dies. Then she meets gentle doctor Joel Tav, whose healing touch offers a tantalizing contrast to her deadly powers. With a dangerous secret between them and a vigilante hunting people like her, pursuing love could cost Tempest everything.
The Friendsgiving Pact — Elizabeth Davis
College freshmen and longtime best friends Avery and Theo agree to fake date over Thanksgiving break to avoid awkward encounters with their exes. Their plan is simple: survive the holiday, then end the charade once they’re back on campus. But the kisses start feeling real, and years of friendship suddenly look like the beginning of something more.
Our Dark Incantations — Wanda Hellmund
Former healer Mira Winters returns to university hoping to find a cure for her scar, only to land in the wrong magic department alongside the infuriating Aidric Dawson. Demonology lessons and a campus murder investigation pull them into a sinister plot with consequences far beyond the school. Dark magic, wartime secrets, and an uneasy alliance fuel this romantic dark academia fantasy.
The Christmas Countdown — Linny Mack
Lucy Sullivan returns to her Maine hometown for one final family Christmas, bringing her face-to-face with Dean Walker, the boy she left behind. Now a detective, Dean finds himself confronting unanswered questions about the drowning that drove Lucy away ten years earlier. When mysterious gifts arrive on her doorstep, their reunion becomes a search for the truth—and perhaps a second chance at love.
Find Your Next Read at Romantasy Bookstore
Browse this week’s releases at romantasybookshop.com, or visit us in Turnersville or Lumberton to find your next obsession.
Make an evening of it with Tipsy Tuesday! We’re open until 8 p.m. on Tuesdays, so stop in, enjoy a complimentary cocktail, and spend a little time among the books.
Are you staying in spooky season—or starting your holiday reading early?