Smallie (2026) Eden McKenzie-Goddard "With Smallie, McKenzie-Goddard has achieved a paradoxical feat: making a singular type of pain feel indisputably collective without sacrificing each unique aspect of such a dangerous time in recent history. Emotive, careful and wearing, McKenzie-Goddard's grasp of language is just as strong as the effect this outstanding debut will have on every reader."
Honey (2026) Imani Thompson "A marvel of a novel, a story that breathes beyond its pages, makes you laugh, makes you angry, and makes you want to learn in equal measure."
At Sea (2026) Y M Abdel-Magied "A thrilling and emotionally complex ride. At Sea is a story of gender and power politics and the cost of capitalism and unhealed wounds. It is a masterclass in drawing a reader into worlds unknown and making it consume their every waking thought. Abdel-Magied has written a carefully composed novel that pulls no punches as it deftly explores the painful reality of life on the rig that is both compelling and captivating."
Celestial Lights (2026) Cecile Pin "With this incredibly beautiful and emotive second novel, Cecile Pin has proved once again that she truly knows every corner of what it is to be human. Celestial Lights is a deeply moving story about the cost of the lives we live that I will be thinking about for a very long time."
Sweet Heat (2025) Bolu Babalola "Sweet Heat is a reminder that Bolu Babalola understands the minutiae of not only romantic relationships, but also the complexities of human behaviour in every beautiful, strange and sometimes painful circumstance. With both a lightness of touch and a depth of feeling, Sweet Heat is about the love that keeps looking for you no matter the cost, and with Babalola's signature humour, a story you'll want to read over and over again."
The Tiny Things Are Heavier (2025) Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo "A rich, complex and wholly moving account of just a fraction of a life that feels so wide and full that it's hard to believe it's fiction, and it's marvel to know that a writer like Esther Ifesinachi Okonkwo is only just beginning what I'm sure will be a long and stunning career. The Tiny Things Are Heavier is both a gut-punch and a warm embrace of a novel that is not soon forgotten."
Fran Littlewood "Fran Littlewood has that incredible ability to write minute family dynamics with such insane accuracy and wit that it feels like she's been observing you and your family for years. It's the incisive level of detail she holds that makes The Favourite such a brilliant read with a concept that is both relatable and hilariously messy. This is a novel that captures the big and little things about siblings and family life that create the beautiful and fractured thing we call family. You'll want to pass this book onto your siblings and your parents, but be warned!!"
Sunstruck (2025) William Rayfet Hunter "Sunstruck is a book that is very hard to put down, full of lovable and equally hatable characters whose lives - much like the protagonists - are both displayed and withheld from the reader, perfectly mimicking the realities of how we relate to those around us, even those we believe are closest to us. A truly gripping story about power, privilege and perspective from a writer with a sharp pen and a wicked sense of humour whose incredible career is only just beginning."
There's Nothing Wrong with Her (2024) Kate Weinberg "Gloriously original, funny, and frighteningly observant, reading Kate Weinberg's There's Nothing Wrong with Her is like reading your brain turned inside out and seeing all the chaos that goes inside, as written by an author with an astuteness and clarity of voice that is captivating and entirely brilliant. I loved it!"
Allow Me to Introduce Myself (2024) Onyi Nwabineli "I loved everything about this book, from the original portrayal of social media and influencer culture, to the excellent humor. Once again, Onyi Nwabineli tells a story that is wise, captivating and unforgettable."
