Another month is upon us friends, and I don’t know about you, but I for one am chomping at the bit for some new releases. Whether it be a festive-season themed collection of 12 short love stories to the feminist answer to Fifty Shades of Grey, this list had got you covered for all of the best stories platforming women’s stories and voices this month.
Enjoy our September selects, and remember – when shopping at QBD Books you can use the code BOOKSMART for 5% off your order (what’s not to love?!).
Lynn Painter may very well be the queen of the YA romance space, from Better Than the Movies to Trust Fall, she has been feeding us for many moons.
Her September release promises to be perfect for lovers of Gossip Girl and Autumn through Nora Ephron’s eyes.
Releasing on the 13th of September 2026
Rani Deshpande Takes the Wheel by Arushi Avachat
Firstly, I just wanted to give this cover its flowers. The colours really are scratching my brain in the right way.
Taking inspiration from Jane Austen and close-knit Desi communities, this book chronicles the adventures of Rani Deshpande as she strives to loose the ‘passenger princess’ allegations, and learns to drive from childhood friend Kush Khanna..
Childhood friends-to-lovers? You know I am sat!
Releasing on the 1st of September 2026
My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin
Technically this book came out 125 years ago, but we would be remiss not to mention the TV tie in cover being released this month in celebration of the phenomenal series.
If you are looking for more My Brilliant Career content, look no further than our podcast episode on the adaptation.
Releasing on the 1st of September 2026
American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee
Acclaimed author Min Jin Lee, of the million-copy, instant New York Times bestseller Pachinko, returns with this new novel taking a look at the cost of ambition and moderation, love and loyalty, personal dreams and familial duty.
Releasing on the 29th of September 2026
Taipei Story by Rebecca F. Kuang
Author of the esteemed novel Yellowface, Kuang returns with an emotional coming-of-age story set in Taiwan. The book tackles themes of identity, love, grief, and loss through Lily, a Yale student who goes to Taipei for a summer’s study at the National Taiwan University in the hopes of “finding her Chinese self”.
Releasing on the 29th of September 2026
The Twelve Loves of Christmas by various authors
A CHRISTMAS ROMANCE BOOK WITH 12 SHORT STORIES? Sign me the hell up!
(Special mention that Joss Richards is featured in this collection and I am foaming at the mouth for more of her impeccable prose).
Releasing on the 29th of September 2026
How Can My Manager Be So Stupid? by Kazumasa Hayami
Any diva who has ever worked in a service job can viscerally relate to this title…
Releasing on the 1st of September 2026
Grim Tidings by B.K. Borison
B.K. Borison has established herself in recent years as one of the most consistent and delightful romance writers currently in the game. Between her Heartstrings and the Ghosted series, she is delivering hit after hit, and this one is no different!
Releasing on the 29th of September 2026
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Rebel Blue Ranch series Lyla Sage returns with the heavily anticipated second book in the Sweetwater Peak duology. This gem features a fake relationship, ghostly spirits, and a tenuous family legacy. I am SAT for this release.
Releasing on the 22nd of September 2026
Becoming Venus by Esme Louise James
Described as a “feminist Fifty Shades of Grey”, Becoming Venus chronicles one woman’s journey through sexual self-discovery throughout Melbourne’s underground sex clubs.
Releasing on the 1st of September 2026
Our Dark Unravelling by Margot McGovern
Inspired by Rebecca and Jane Eyre, the novel explores toxic relationships, manipulation and obsession through the lens of a (literal) haunting, while highlighting the strength young women can find in one another—a story that feels especially urgent in the face of the manosphere.
Releasing on the 8th of September 2026