7 New Fall Books Goodreads Readers Recommend Reading Before Halloween
From witchy romances to chilling horror stories, these 7 new fall books are perfect for spooky-season fun!
Key Takeaways
- Goodreads readers recommend seven new fall books for spooky-season reading.
- Picks include witchy romances, cozy fantasy, supernatural thrillers and horror stories.
- Find your next fall read, from ‘Witch in Notting Hill’ to ‘A Time of Witches.’
Halloween is less than two weeks away, and if you’re still searching for the perfect fall read, you’re in for a treat! Over the past couple of months, Goodreads users have shared their top new fall books that are perfect to read before the spookiest night of the year, including romances, thrillers and more. To discover the titles and find out why Goodreads users love them, keep scrolling.
‘Witch in Notting Hill’ by Alexandra Paige
If you love the 1999 hit rom-com Notting Hill starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant, you won’t want to miss this novel by Alexandra Paige. After rising Hollywood actress and secret witch Willow James turns her manager into a cat, she realizes the only way to reverse the curse is to travel to London and find a spell hidden within the occult bookstore Coven & Codex. It should be easy, but when she runs into shop owner Oliver Hadley, a handsome man who, despite working in an occult bookstore, doesn’t believe in magic, challenges begin to arise that Willow never saw coming. Can Willow find the right spell and turn her manager back into a human, or will her rising feelings for Oliver get in the way?
What Goodreads users are saying: “A Witch In Notting Hill is the cutest paranormal romance. Notting Hill is one of my favorite movies and Alexandra Paige did it justice by adding a fun, witchy spin. Willow and Oliver made the perfect opposites attract couple and I loved their slow burn romance. I definitely recommend adding this one to your TBR if you are a fan of cute, cozy, and spicy paranormal romance.”
‘The Unknown’ by Riley Sager
From bestselling author Riley Sager comes a dual-timeline spooky tale set on an island. In 1926, five women held a séance on a small island in Vermont. Afterward, they each disappeared one by one without a trace, seemingly by a dark, supernatural being. The only thing left was a single piece of clothing hanging in a tree. Now, 100 years later, a film is being made about the women on the island. Struggling actress Marin Keane is cast as the lead, and while it seems like a dream opportunity, her opinion changes when people begin disappearing in the same way they did in 1926. Can Marin use a diary left by one of the girls from 1926 to figure out what’s going on before it’s too late?
What Goodreads users are saying: “This was so hard to put down. I was scared, I was intrigued and I was entertained. For the life of me I could not figure out what was happening. I had some theories that were pretty out there. It was nothing compared to what it was. I loved the diary entries alongside the current day’s events. It was chilling to see the similarities and it had me believing in the spiritual connections and seances. So compelling and unsettling.”
‘The Witch’ by Freida McFadden
Freida McFadden’s latest thriller begins after Julia Barlow loses her job and her apartment, forcing her to move back into Pemberton, her family’s 17th-century estate in Massachusetts. Most people think she’s there to take care of her grandmother, but Julia knows the truth: She’s there to disappear and do nothing. But when spooky things begin to happen around the house, Julia is forced to investigate. Soon she discovers that a woman was executed for witchcraft near the house in 1692 and has decided to come back for revenge.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This was a fantastic read for spooky season! It was so intriguing and suspenseful—I barely set it down. The build up to the conclusion was so compelling and the ending was extremely satisfying! Definitely one of my favorite Freida McFadden books!”
‘Stay for a Spell’ by Amy Coombe
After a routine trip to the town of Little Pepperidge, Princess Tanadelle “Tandy” of the Widdenmar finds herself trapped in a run-down bookshop. The only way she can escape is by finding a way to unlock her heart’s desire. To help the process along, Tandy’s parents start to send royal men to the bookstore to woo her, but there’s one problem: Tandy likes the bookstore—it’s cozy, quiet and her version of a happily ever after. But as time goes on and her royal duties remain undone, Tandy is forced to figure out who she really is and whether life in a bookstore is what she truly wants.
What Goodreads users are saying: “This is the kind of book you read when you want to feel warm, safe and just a little bit enchanted. It’s about finding yourself, choosing your own path, and discovering that sometimes the life you didn’t plan is the one that fits you best. A perfect cozy fantasy for anyone who loves bookshops, soft romance, and stories that feel like home.”
‘The Book Witch’ by Meg Shaffer
Meg Shaffer’s latest novel follows Rainy March, a third-generation book witch whose job is to defend works of fiction from real and imaginary and enemies. There’s just one rule she must follow: never interact with fictional characters. But when she forms an unexpected connection with the Duke of Chicago—a British detective from her favorite series—her entire world is turned upside down. What follows is a fantastical quest filled with love, loss and friendship.
What Goodreads users are saying: “Wow, what a whimsical and fun book!! The writing was beautiful and the story was so creative. I pretty much finished it in one sitting. I found myself laughing, hoping, cheering and tearing up, so many emotions felt. This book captured the beauty of stories and what it means to be a reader. Meg Shaffer knocked it out of the park!”
‘Sometimes I Scare Myself’ by Jeneva Rose
Jeneva Rose’s short story collection follows three storylines. The first centers around a group of friends who accidentally kill their medium during a séance, resulting in a deadly spirit being released. The second story follows a family who moves into a haunted house in the middle of nowhere. And the final story begins with a group of friends who stop at a roadside store with a sign reading “All items cursed. Curse lifted at time of sale.” They don’t think anything of it, but when an unpaid item magically appears in one of their bags, spooky things begin to happen. A spine-tingling collection of short stories that will leave readers guessing.
What Goodreads users are saying: “I’m so mad at myself. I wanted to take my time reading these stories but I could. not. stop. I enjoyed every single story but now I’ve finished and wish I had paused between stories instead of just blazing through it. But that was an impossible task! Great way to kick off my spooky season reading!”
‘A Time of Witches’ by Madeline Martin
Set in modern day and 1645, this novel by Madeline Martin is sure to stun. Ever since her mother’s death, strange things have been happening to Lilith Legare. Plants move toward her, animals follow her warily and her birthmark keeps burning. None of that is as scary as the nightmare she’s having about being burned at the stake. In an attempt to figure out what’s going on, she journeys to New England, only to discover that she must rewrite her family’s history or die. Flashback to 1645: Sybil Brantham is accused of witchcraft and is determined to keep her sister from enduring the same fate. Soon Sybil and Lilith’s stories collide in a shocking way, and no one will predict what happens next.
What Goodreads users are saying: “The perfect fall read: witchy and brimming with feminine rage, empowering female friendships, self discovery and lush imagery. I loved the way this blended historical fiction with magical realism and fantasy. The historical aspects are incredibly well researched, and I was deeply touched to learn that the author named several characters after people who died in real-life witch trials. Both settings are immersive, but I especially loved how dark and atmospheric Sybil’s timeline was.”
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