New books to look out for… June 2025 -

June is looking like a wild good month for new books here in Australia – perfect timing as we hunker down and cosy up for winter. Here are three brand new Aussie novels hitting shelves in the first week of June that I’m super excited to read.

Cockatoo Cove by Maya Linnell

Maggie West has worked tirelessly to prove herself, establishing a successful cattle stud instead of following her father into the crayfishing industry, though it’s never enough to stop local speculation about her family’s holdings. And with her teenage daughter veering off the rails, she knows all too well that money doesn’t provide immunity against heartache or hardship.

Since landing in South Australia’s picturesque Limestone Coast, Scottish winemaker Fergus Abernathy has gone from strength to strength. But it isn’t just the awards that are keeping him in the district; if he can put down roots, perhaps he can persuade his family to join him Down Under.

Missing his family back in Scotland, Fergus looks a little enviously at the close-knit West family, until a shocking phone call changes everything.

Misunderstandings and long-withheld secrets create roadblocks for Maggie and Fergus, and with a community fundraiser hanging in the balance, it seems they’re never destined to be in the right place at the right time.

I adore Maya Linnell‘s writing – her rural romance novels are the perfect blend of sweet and serious, and come with such a feeling of familiarity and nostalgia that make them a perfect comfort read for me. I’ve chatted about (and with!) Maya so many times here on my blog and I’m so happy to have my hands on her newest book, Cockatoo Cove, which is out 3 June from Allen & Unwin. Big thanks to the team at A&U for sending an early copy my way!

Check out my previous reviews of Maya’s books

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An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister

Sadie Shaw and Jonah Fisher have known each other for fifteen years – and they’ve disliked each other for every one of them. It started with a minor altercation in an undergrad literature class, but as their academic careers developed, so did the intensity of their arguments. By the time they graduate with their doctorates, they’re embroiled in a full-on rivalry.

So when a position comes up that Sadie and Jonah are both perfect for, their ongoing enmity explodes into a red-hot competition. But as Sadie fights to secure her future, she realises there might be a way for both of them to get their dream job. There’s just one catch –they’ll have to get married first.

When things get personal, though, Sadie will have to keep her eye on the prize. A fake marriage isn’t worth jeopardising her real career over, is it?

I’m a big-time fan of Jodi McAlister’s word especially her romance novels – her Marry Me Juliet series is my absolute favourite – so I’ve been counting down for this one since it was announced!
An Academic Affair is out June 4 from Atria Australia.

Check out my my reviews of the first two books in Jodi’s Marry Me Juliet here (Here for the Right Reasons) and here (Can I Steal You for a Second), and for an extra fun bonus check out Jodi on That Rom Com Pod with Karina May and Clare Fletcher – it’s currently one of my fave podcasts and this was such a good episode!

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A Beautiful Family – Jennifer Trevelyan

As the summer holiday stretches ahead, with her older sister more interested in boys, her mother disappearing on long walks and her father, beer in hand, watching the cricket, the youngest in the family often finds herself alone.

At the beach, she meets Kahu, a boy who tells her a tragic story about a little girl who disappeared a couple of years ago, presumed drowned. Suddenly, the summer has purpose—they will find the missing girl and become local heroes.

Between dips in the ocean, afternoon barbecues and lazy sunbaking, their detective work brings to the surface shocking discoveries and dark secrets, even about her own beautiful family …

I actually don’t know much about Jennifer Trevelyan’s A Beautiful Family except that I loved the sound of it and jumped at the chance to get an early copy when the team at A&U reached out to me about it. The cover is stunning and it has a quote from Hannah Kent on the front, and honestly that’s enough for me right now haha. This one is also out on 3 June, and thanks again to A&U for sending me a copy – this time in a cute promo box with some goodies too!

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So, there you have my top three new releases for next week – I’d love to know whether any of these have caught your eye, or if you have other highly anticipated June releases on your list.

xo Bron