The Next-in-Series Books I’m Most Excited for in 2021

For several years I’d been avoiding book series… but somehow, in the last year or so, I’ve accidentally started reading several series. I’m not sure how that happened, but it’s too late to turn back now! With 2021 already upon us, I’ve gleefully awaiting all the new books coming our way this year, including many next-in-series installments. Here are the next-in-series books I’m most excited for in 2021.

Series I’ve Started Already

First up, these are the upcoming books in some series I’ve already started reading. The books are listed chronologically, in order of when they’re due to be published.

Written in Starlight by Isabel Ibañez (January 26th)

I just read Woven in Moonlight last month, and I really enjoyed it. I loved getting to know Bolivia in this YA fantasy filled with woven animals come to life, literal sword fights, and overthrowing magical royals. The second book of Isabel Ibañez’s duology follows the exiled Condesa, Catalina, as she navigates the wilds of South America. Written in Starlight comes out later this month.

The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba by Chanel Cleeton (May 4th)

Last fall I read Next Year in Havana, introducing us to the Perez family in Cuba. In the past two years, two additional books of the Cuba Saga — about other Perezes — have come out, though I admittedly haven’t read them yet. Even so, I’m looking forward to Chanel Cleeton’s forthcoming book, The Most Beautiful Girl in Cuba, which goes back in time to a real woman, Evangelina Cisneros, as she fought for Cuba’s freedom in the late 1800s.

The Heart Principle by Helen Hoang (August 17th)

In 2019, I discovered that I can enjoy romance thanks to Helen Hoang’s first two books, The Kiss Quotient and The Bride Test. The final installment of the trilogy will rightfully focus in on Quan and a woman named Anna who is working to overcome her OCD. I can hardly wait to read The Heart Principle, currently scheduled for release this August.

Portrait of a Scotsman by Evie Dunmore (September 7th)

Evie Dunmore may have just two books out so far, but she’s already becoming one of my favorite romance writers. Her League of Extraordinary Women series takes us to late 1800s England, where women fight for their rights and political representation. I adored Bringing Down the Duke and A Rogue of One’s Own. In the third book, Portrait of a Scotsman, Hattie will get her love story with her new husband, Lucian.

A Lot Like Adios by Alexis Daria (September 7th)

Alexis Daria’s romance You Had Me at Hola was a big hit last summer! Following the love story between soap opera stars Jasmine and Ashton, the second book in this series focuses on Jasmine’s cousin, Michelle. This successful freelancer hasn’t gotten over the one who got away, Gabe… though maybe he still pines for her, too. Find out if they still have that spark in A Lot Like Adios, due this September.

Sequel to Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan (date TBA)

I loved Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians series, and was excited when his new book, Sex and Vanity, came out last summer. I was even more thrilled to learn that it was the first in a new trilogy. Each book is set in a different iconic city. While Sex and Vanity paid homage to Capri, Italy, the second and third books will be set in London and Paris, respectively. There’s still no title or release date for book #2, but I’m hoping we’ll get it before 2021 is over!

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Series I Haven’t Yet Started

Now for the series I haven’t even started yet! These are the next-in-series books I’m anticipating, even though I haven’t begun reading the series-beginning novels I’ve collected already. (They’re all on my TBR, and I promise I’ll get to them soon!) Again, these are listed chronologically based on when the next book is due to be published.

Everything That Burns by Gita Trelease (February 2nd)

Last year I picked up Enchantée, and I’m still excited to read it. Revolutionary France + magic? Yes please! On February 2nd, its sequel comes out. Though its original title was Liberté, it’s now been renamed Everything That Burns. Likewise, Enchantée has been rebranded as All That Glitters. A bit confusing perhaps, but that can’t put a damper on my excitement!

Bloodsworn by Scott Reintgen (February 16th)

When I was younger, I was obsessed with horses, so it’s no wonder that I adored the Black Stallion series. Regretfully, I’ve read almost no books that have anything to do with horses in adulthood. But that’s all about to change: I picked up a YA book called Ashlords last summer. Next month, its sequel Blood Sworn comes out.

Illusionary by Zoraida Córdova (May 11th)

I love Spain and, more specifically, Andalucía. Last summer, I picked up Zoraida Córdova’s magical novel Illusionary, set in a fantasy version of southern Spain during the Spanish Inquisition. I’m not sure how I haven’t read it yet, but I promise I will by the time book #2 of the Hollow Crown series, Illusionary, comes out this spring.

Cazadora by Romina Garber (August 17th)

Combining Argentine folklore and a hotly contested issue of recent years, Lobizona is a book about an undocumented immigrant who may also be a werewolf. (I can’t help but silently sing Shakira’s “She Wolf” every time I think about this novel.) This is a fantasy I’ve been anxious to read, and I have until this summer, when its sequel Cazadora comes out. I can hardly wait to read both books in the Wolves of No World series!

Never Saw You Coming by Erin Hahn (September 2021)

Last summer I picked up a YA romanced called More Than Maybe. I love the premise of it, in which two music-obsessed teens aim for careers in the music industry and maybe pine for each other, too. I’m still an aspiring music journalist, so I already relate to these characters. This fall, one of the side characters gets her own story with Never Saw You Coming.

Our Violent Ends (?) by Chloe Gong (November 16th)

Just two months ago I bought These Violent Delights, the debut novel by Chloe Gong. It’s a 1920s adaptation of Romeo and Juliet, but in Shanghai and with literal monsters. I’m here for that! The sequel — rumored to be called Our Violent Ends — is due this November.

Moon Witch, Night Devil by Marlon James (date TBA)

I admit, I’ve had Marlon James’s fantasy novel Black Leopard, Red Wolf on my shelf for nearly two years now. Truthfully, I’m still excited to read it… and I look forward to its sequel, too! Moon Witch, Night Devil will be the second part of the Dark Star trilogy, and while a date hasn’t yet been announced, hopefully we’ll get it by the end of 2021.

Alex Stern #2 by Leigh Bardugo (date TBA)

In November 2019, I excitedly added Ninth House to my physical TBR. This dark academia fantasy is the first in the Alex Stern series, and its still-unnamed sequel is due… hopefully later this year! Ninth House feels like a fall read, so I’ll probably read it then, with any luck right before book #2 comes out.

Between Earth and Sky #2 by Rebecca Roanhorse (date TBA)

This Christmas, my mom gifted me Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse. It’d been high on my wish list, so I’m thrilled I have it on my bookshelf now! This fantasy, set in the pre-Colombian Americas, is the first in the Between Earth and Sky trilogy. While the second book hasn’t been announced yet, I’m hoping it will come out sometime this fall.

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Honorable Mentions

If that list wasn’t enough, my book excitement extends to several other next-in-series books due out this year. These are the series for which I haven’t yet collected the first book. But I plan to collect those and these upcoming new ones, because these series all look incredible.

• The Butterfly House by Katrine Engberg, sequel to The Tenant (published January 5th)
• Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas, prequel to The Hate U Give (due January 12th)
• The Conjurer by Luanne G. Smith, third in The Vine Witch series (due January 12th)
• We Free the Stars by Hafsah Faizal, second in Sands of Arawiya series (due January 19th)
• The Water Rituals and The Lords of Time by Eva García Sáenz, English translations of second and third books in The White City trilogy (due March 30th and July 6th, respectively)
• Blessed Monsters by Emily A. Duncan, third in Something Dark and Holy series (due April 6th)
• Oculta by Maya Motayne, sequel to Nocturna (due April 6th)
• When Night Breaks by Janella Angeles, second in Kingdom of Cards series (due June 8th)

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Have you started reading any of these series? Which next-in-series books are you looking forward to in 2021? Let me know in the comments – I’d love to know your thoughts and add your recommendations to my TBR!