I read books every day — these are the 8 books to look out for in December

From new releases by well-known authors to hidden gems, here are some of the best books out in December that you’ll want to add to your reading list

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My 8 best new books for December

• Made Things by Adrian Tchaikovsky: In Made Things, a crafty street thief and puppeteer residing in a crime-infested city strikes a deal with two enchanted puppets, in this magical short story from the author of Children of Time. After observing Coppelia’s cunning, a local crime boss coerces her into aiding in a high-risk heist. However, an unexpected discovery leaves Coppelia and her allies confronting a danger to the city itself. With an additional short story included, this makes for a swift yet delightful read for fans of Adrian Tchaikovsky, as well as those new to his work.
• The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage: Lexi Villiers, always the second choice, is thrust back into the Royal limelight following her estranged brother’s untimely demise, making her the next in line for the British throne. However, navigating palace life is no easy feat, with whispers and rumours swirling around every corner, and family members ready to sell each other out at a moment’s notice. With the crown tantalisingly within reach, Lexi must decide which ties she’ll hold onto… and what she’s prepared to sacrifice. Packed with secrets, scandal, and romance, this book is a must-read for any fans of Succession or The Crown.
• In Your Dreams by Sarah Adams: A return home sparks a new love affair—and a fair share of drama—between two old family friends in the latest chapter of When in Rome, Sarah Adams’ popular series of interconnected standalones. Madison left her hometown of Rome, Kentucky, with dreams of making it big in the culinary world. However, after years of chasing success in New York, she’s yearning for a fresh start. So when an unexpected job offer from James, her brother’s best mate, comes along, she decides to move back home. James has harboured feelings for Madison for years, even though he’s always been nothing more than a nuisance to her. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that, unless his wildly successful younger brother Tommy manages to sweep her off her feet first….
• Children of Fallen Gods by Carissa Broadbent: The War of Lost Hearts saga marches on with Children of Fallen Gods, the follow-up to Daughter of No Worlds. For newcomers, this chart-topping romantasy series chronicles a former slave battling for justice alongside a withdrawn warrior who’s lost faith it can ever exist. Tisaanah sacrificed her own liberty to rescue those she abandoned in bondage. Now, shackled by her blood oath, she’s compelled to wage the Orders’ battle. But when treachery rips through the realm of Ara, Tisaanah and Max find themselves thrust into an even more savage struggle. Expect shocking revelations, steamy romance and a fantasy realm you’ll never want to escape in this eagerly-awaited follow-up.
• The Pelican Child by Joy Williams: The Pelican Child marks the latest short story compilation from Pulitzer Prize nominee Joy Williams. Within menacing and ever-changing settings, we encounter spirits both lost and discovered: from twin inheritors of a corrupt industrial legacy, compelled to carry out a brutal deed as payment for their family’s sins, to a recently matured man still trapped in the dreamworld of his childhood boarding-school naivety, to the “pelican child”, dwelling with the skeletal, bad-tempered Baba Yaga in a tiny hut perched on chicken legs. With Williams previously hailed as “one of the best living writers of the short story” by the New Yorker, this collection demands attention.
• The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher When Olivia Kaspen bumps into her ex-boyfriend in a Miami record shop three years post their split, she throws caution to the wind and decides to approach him. Discovering that Caleb is suffering from amnesia following a recent car crash, she sees a golden opportunity. If he can’t recall her, then he certainly won’t remember how she shattered his heart. Spotting a chance to rekindle their relationship, she keeps their history, including the details surrounding their breakup, under wraps. With its unconventional take on second-chance romance and a fast-paced plot, this book will have you flipping pages well into the wee hours.
• Fallen Gods by Rachel Van Dyken: The Gods aren’t extinct – they’re merely dormant, trapped in mortal bodies, scattered across the globe, awaiting the right spark to awaken them. And Rey Stjerne’s father is the most merciless of them all. He brought her up to obey, to bleed, and to be his weapon when the time came. Now, he’s dispatching her to Endir University, a place steeped in ancient bloodlines and lethal secrets, with a single mission: to pilfer back Mjolnir, the legendary hammer. If she fails, everyone she holds dear will perish. Only an assignment she never chose – and a man she was never destined to love – stands between her and a war that will determine the fate of the world. This Norse-inspired fantasy romance is a must-read for fans of The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.
• Protect by Paisley Hope: In this gripping second-chance romance, a wildland firefighter rekindles a relationship with his late best mate’s sister. Rowan and Violette haven’t crossed paths in years after he left her heartbroken – but not for the reasons she believes. Now a single mum working as a nurse in the burn unit, Violette has no interest in any reminders of her past. However, after a chance encounter, Rowan decides to do what he can to finally set things right between them. The second instalment in the Sky Ridge Hotshots series, Protect is a tantalising, angsty romance filled with childhood sweethearts and friends-to-lovers themes.