Sneak Peek: January 2026 Indie Next List

The January 2026 Indie Next List includes six Macmillan titles!

LOST LAMBS by Madeline Cash
9780374619237 | 1/13/26

“Cash has a hit debut on her hands based on the guffaw-inducing, deadpan humor alone… In addition to the generous portions of humor, Cash weaves in a fun romp in which the family members get to exercise their strengths. An entertaining and breezy read reminiscent of the best of Kevin Wilson.”—Booklist, starred review

“Loaded with snarky one-liners and absurdist set pieces, Cash’s glittering debut novel (after the collection EARTH ANGEL) follows the middle-class Flynn family as they try and fail to find a sense of purpose… The novel is anchored in its affection for the hapless but well-meaning Flynns, whose banter is endlessly irresistible… It’s unforgettable.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

GRACELESS HEART by Isabel Ibañez
9781250376695 | 1/13/26

“Written with expressive turns of phrase and set amidst the lush backdrop of a magical Renaissance Italy, Ibañez’s page-turning adult debut is a fantasy romance about a woman torn between familiar but limiting expectations and the tempting darkness of the unknown. Filled with an intoxicating slow-burn romance, complex characters, and surprising reveals, GRACELESS HEART will leave readers wanting more from this world.”—Booklist, starred review

“Ibañez interweaves the story’s art and political intrigue with historical events, art history, and real figures from Renaissance Florence. The novel features skillful worldbuilding, with an intriguing magical system that has a gravity befitting the 15th century’s turmoil, while the central relationship is a slow burn of forbidden romance with a morally gray love interest… This captivating historical romantasy set in Renaissance Italy features expert worldbuilding that makes 15th-century magical creatures and magic-infused statues feel possible.”—Library Journal, starred review

THE BOOKBINDER’S SECRET by A. D. Bell
9781250412645 | 1/13/26

“In this stellar debut from Bell, a British bibliophile courts danger while seeking answers about a mysterious note she found in a book… Bell exhibits a superior gift for crafting an engrossing puzzle and a complex, sympathetic protagonist. Admirers of Charles Palliser’s THE QUINCUNX will love this.”—Publishers Weekly, starred review

THE STORM by Rachel Hawkins
9781250341884 | 1/6/26

“She shrewdly orchestrates the plot twists in each story line, folding in letters, emails, newspaper articles, and excerpts from August’s unfinished manuscript to raise new questions and ratchet up suspense. When the pieces finally click into place, readers will be more than satisfied.”—Publishers Weekly

MEET THE NEWMANS by Jennifer Niven
9781250372444 | 1/6/26

“Niven captures the insular world of the Newmans and the cracks that begin to show when the real world comes knocking. It’s a delightful, moving, and compelling tale that will resonate in these changing times.”—Booklist

I COULD BE FAMOUS by Sydney Rende
9781639735860 | 1/13/26

A listless woman befriends an influencer at a rooftop party, only to discover her lifestyle is not as glamorous as it seems. A college freshman gives the world’s longest blow job to a boy whose name she’s forgotten. A fan-favorite reality TV star joins a dating app after an explosive breakup, ready to move on, but finds she’s in control only when cameras are rolling. While working in a hot tub showroom, a struggling actress goes method so she can nail an audition for the role of High School Junkie Girlfriend. Threaded throughout these explorations of neuroses and aspirations is one Arlo Banks, a hotshot actor, who faces his own downfall when he’s accused of cannibalism. From the dazzling to the mundane, Rende’s unnervingly astute stories hold a mirror to our obsession with how we’re perceived and our ache to be adored. Above all else, I COULD BE FAMOUS is a love letter to big ambitions and bigger dissatisfactions, belief in ourselves, and the fascination we hold with the idea that we could—somehow, someday—be famous.