Curl up with magic, mayhem, and a little midair romance this week!
As the year winds down and we head into peak cozy reading season, December 16th brings a fresh stack of new releases perfect for winter reading. Whether you’re looking for swoony slow burns, magical realms, or a little personal reset before the new year, this week’s titles deliver. We’ve got a time-traveling Guinevere, a grumpy pilot romance, a practical habits guide, and the continuation of an epic fantasy series that’s not done with your heart just yet. Here’s what’s new:
The Once and Future Queen by Paula Lafferty
Genre: Fantasy / Feminist Retelling / Time-Slip Romance
Why You’ll Love It:
- Outlander meets The Princess Bride meets Camelot
- Guinevere reimagined as a witty, modern heroine
- Slow-burn royalty romance + magic and mystery
- STUNNING deluxe hardcover with stenciled edges & illustrated endpapers
The Story:
Vera always knew she didn’t quite fit in and it turns out she was never meant to. When a mysterious stranger claims she’s the reincarnation of Queen Guinevere and her memories could rewrite history, Vera is pulled into a world of lost magic, lingering curses, and an icy King Arthur who won’t meet her gaze… but leaves her tender gifts in secret. With Camelot on the brink, Vera must trust her instincts and her heart in order to save it!
Perfect for fans of: Alix E. Harrow, Ava Reid, or anyone craving a dreamy escape with swords and secrets.
In Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly
Genre: Romantic Comedy / Brother’s Best Friend / Workplace Romance
Why You’ll Love It:
- Grumpy pilot x sunshine waitress
- Brother’s best friend trope with serious tension
- Dream-chasing heroine + private pilot goals
- Laugh-out-loud banter meets big feels
The Story:
Beth is broke, exhausted, and accidentally developing a crush on her brother’s grumpy best friend—who also happens to be her new flight instructor. As flying lessons bring them closer, secrets threaten to crash more than just her career plans. Can love survive a nosedive?
Perfect for fans of: Ali Hazelwood, The Cheat Sheet, or The Love Hypothesis—especially if you love your romance with turbulence and tension.
Happy Habits: A Happier, Healthier Life One Minute at a Time by Tal Ben-Shahar
Genre: Nonfiction / Self-Help / Wellness
Why You’ll Love It:
- Written by a New York Times bestselling happiness expert
- Concrete strategies for creating change without overwhelm
- Minimal Viable Interventions (MVIs) for daily mental resets
- An encouraging, research-backed approach to habit formation
The Story:
If you’ve ever started too big and burned out fast (hello, New Year’s Resolutions), this guide is for you. Learn how tiny shifts—like 3 deep breaths or a 45-second stair climb—can reset your mood and build the foundation for lasting change across your emotional, spiritual, and physical wellbeing.
Perfect for fans of: Atomic Habits, The Power of Now, or anyone looking to reclaim their joy with small but mighty steps.
A Fate So Dark and Delicate by Sophia St. Germain
Genre: Fantasy / Queer Found Family / High Stakes Magic
Why You’ll Love It:
- Book 2 in a lush, emotionally rich fantasy series
- Dual POV: slow-burn romance + political rebellion
- Themes of fate, fractured alliances, and sacrifice
- Fae, magic, shifting loyalties, and queer rep
The Story:
The king is dead, but Havlands is far from stable. As invading Fae threaten the realm, Elessia and Merrick must leave behind everything they love to unlock the truth about her dangerous new powers. Meanwhile, their friends face rising tensions and political betrayal on the ground. The cost of destiny may be more than they can afford.
Perfect for fans of: Adrienne Young, The Bridge Kingdom, or any romantasy reader looking for rich world-building and emotional depth.
Final Thoughts
This week’s releases offer a perfect end-of-year lineup: cozy escapism, gripping fantasy, introspective nonfiction, and fresh romance with all the feels. Whether you’re ready to reign over Camelot, fall in love mid-flight, or just start your year with better habits, you’ll find something to love here.
Which of these are going straight to your TBR? Are you team Arthur or Lancelot? Plotting new habits or dreaming of dragons? Let us know in the comments or on Instagram which book you’re starting with!
